Music
Music in the Episcopal Church has long been part of the Church's history and is woven into the fabric of St. Paul's Cathedral. Music transcends restrictions of time and place and takes us to a plane where, as written in Hymn 420, "How often, making music, we have found a new dimension in the world of sound, as worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!"
With that, opportunities abound for participation in the Music Program at St. Paul's Cathedral. Canon Musician Scott Raab has served St. Paul's Cathedral since 1978, and in August of 2021, has been joined by Joseph Ripka as Canon Musician Designate.
The St. Paul's Choir
The St. Paul's Choir sings at the 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II. Parishioners who are interested in joining must meet with Canon Musician Scott Raab. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the choir room. Email Scott for more information and to set up an appointment.
The Schola Cantorum
The Schola Cantorum sings at the 11:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I, and is joined through audition. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 pm. in the Choir Room. To set up an audition for the Schola Cantorum, contact Canon Musician Scott Raab at 235-3436 or email Scott for more information.
The Cathedral Choristers
The Cathedral Chorister program provides youth with a foremost musical education which embraces the tradition of children's voices. For nearly one thousand years, children (primarily boys until the last sixty years) have sung daily services in the great cathedrals and collegiate chapels of England. Our holistic approach to training these choristers places equal emphasis on musical development, religious education, leadership training and social activities. Cathedral Choristers receive professional training in the fundamentals of music including sight-reading, ear-training, and music theory. The program is open to boys and girls in grades K through 12. Teen boys with changed voices are also welcome. Rehearsal times offer flexibility and choristers are required to attend twice per week. This is a new offering for St. Paul's Cathedral and currently choristers will sing on occasion at the 9:00 a.m. service. Interested families should contact Canon Musician Designate Joseph Ripka to set up a meeting or email Joseph for more information or click HERE to sign up.
The Cathedral Organ - John-Paul Buzard Organbuilders, Inc. Opus 20
Built during the restoration of the Cathedral following the Murrah Building bombing, the Buzard Pipe Organ is a wonderful part of the Cathedral’s top-notch music program. The Buzard website (www.buzardorgans.com) includes a detailed description.
St. Paul's Music Society
The St. Paul’s Music Society is a group of people who are willing to provide extra financial support to the Music Program at the Cathedral. The annual Membership/Fund Drive provides funds for the use of extra musicians in services and special programs, hospitality for guest musicians and publicity for concerts, receptions and other expenses associated with the comprehensive music program at the Cathedral.
For more information about St. Paul’s Music Society, contact Canon Scott Raab at 235-3436.
