Choral Music

There are four ensembles at Christ Church Cathedral. If you are musically inclined and are interested in becoming involved in music-making at the Cathedral, please consider joining one of the musical ensembles active in the life of this Cathedral.
 

The Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Michael Velting, Organist and Choirmaster, is the 32-voice highly trained choir that sings at the 11:00 Eucharist, as well as singing Choral Evensong several times a year and the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. Their critically acclaimed recording Christ Hath a Garden was released in the Fall of 2007.

Cathedral Choir rehearsals run from from September to May and are on Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm. Rehearsals during summer months are on Sunday morning at 9:30 am.

The Cathedral Choir welcomes new singers at any time of the year by audition. If you read music and have experience singing in a choir and would like to know more about joining the Cathedral Choir, please contact Michael Velting in the Music Office with any inquiries or to set up an appointment. We look forward to welcoming you into the Cathedral Choir!

The Cathedral Choristers, directed by Michael Velting and Jon Johnson, Cathedral Assistant Organist and Choirmaster, is the children’s choir training program of the Cathedral. They sing primarily the 8:30 Eucharist, but once every few months they participate in Choir Switch with the Cathedral Choir, where each choir trades services with the other. Using a training curriculum based on the Royal School of Church Music model, these children receive weekly vocal training, learn to read music, and discover the joy of being leaders in worship. They also have special events: pool parties, skating parties, Chorister Retreat in September etc. Boys remain part of the Chorister Program until their voices break and change, while the girls are welcome to stay on into high school. Any child in grades two and above is welcome to become a Cathedral Chorister.

The Senior Choristers serve as hosts for the Annual Diocesan Chorister Festival for the Diocese of Tennessee.

Rehearsal for the Junior Choristers (grades 2 & 3) is on Monday afternoon, from 4:00 until 4:45 pm, led by Jon Johnson

Senior Choristers (grades 4-8) rehearse on Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 - 6:00 pm, led by Dr. Velting and Mr. Johnson

Please contact Michael Velting or Jon Johnson at the Cathedral to enroll your child in the Cathedral Chorister Program.

The Parish Choir, under the direction of Michael Velting and Jon Johnson, is a group that sings once a month during the summer months and once every three months during the academic year.

This ensemble of adults and teenagers is made up of singers who do not necessarily have the time to commit to the normal rehearsal schedule of the Cathedral Choir, but who do enjoy occasionally participating in music leadership in the Cathedral. A wide range of music is sung, and no audition is necessary. The only requirement is to be present at the rehearsal one hour prior to the service for which the Parish Choir is singing. This Choir does not vest nor process. We always have fun and are always looking to increase the number of participants in this choir. Please contact Michael Velting for more details on the Parish Choir.

 

Click HERE for the music to be used for Sunday August 8, 2010.
 

Taizé Musicians are under the direction of Jon Johnson, Assistant Organist and Choirmaster. Instrumentalists and singers are most welcome and needed for this beautiful and contemplative service, held on the second Sunday of most months.

Musicians leading this service meet to rehearse at 5:15 with the service following at 6 p.m. Instruments help to ornament and support the Taizé chants. Instrumentalists who play the following instruments are encouraged to participate in this service - violin, viola, cello, flute, bassoon, oboe, clarinet, guitar, horn, and recorder. If you are a singer and can read a melody and some harmony, then this ensemble will welcome you. Individual singers participate not only as part of an ensemble, but often take the role of cantor to introduce and lead congregational singing.

If you are interested or would like to inquire about taking part in this unique liturgy, please contact Jon Johnson in the Music Office.