Choral Ensembles
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is home to numerous Choral Ensembles made up of talented musicians of all ages. These groups grace our services, programs, and events with their gifted voices year-round. Joining a Cathedral Choral Ensemble is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform regularly at the world's largest Gothic cathedral, and and across the world! There are so many ways to get involved with Cathedral music.
Cathedral Choir
The 18-voice professional Cathedral Choir sets the standard for music at the Cathedral, both in worship and in concert. Its members include some of New York City’s finest singers, who are also accomplished soloists in their own right.
The Cathedral Choir sings at our 10:30 am and 4 pm Sunday services, as well as for Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. In addition, they are the core ensemble for the Cathedral’s Great Music in a Great Space concert series.
Cathedral Choristers
This ensemble is made up of 40 students from the 4th through 8th grade classes of the Cathedral School. The chorister program was founded when the Cathedral School opened its doors in 1901. Today’s young musicians continue this proud tradition, leading services at the Cathedral as well as participating in exciting outside projects. The choristers have performed at Carnegie Hall, sung Evensong at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., recorded a music video with Placido Domingo and The Piano Guys, and performed at the opening of the Saks Fifth Avenue Christmas celebration.
Cathedral Chorale
This auditioned volunteer choir draws members from both the local Morningside Heights community and the greater New York City area. It meets for rehearsals on Wednesday nights from September through May. The Chorale often joins the Cathedral Choir for services throughout the year, including Christmas, Easter, and St. Francis Day.
Cathedral Schola Cantorum
The Cathedral has recently created a new choir open to all youth with unchanged voices in middle and high school from all areas of the local community and beyond. This ensemble will share in the great Cathedral tradition of choral singing that has been a hallmark at Saint John the Divine for nearly 120 years. The Schola Cantorum will rehearse once a week on Thursdays from 4:15-5:30 pm and will sing at select liturgies and concerts throughout the year. The Schola Cantorum will frequently perform in collaboration with the Cathedral Choristers, an ensemble made up of students from the Cathedral School, and with the other ensembles in residence at the Cathedral.
