The Cathedral Choir School of Metropolitan Detroit
Welcome to the Cathedral Choir School of Metropolitan Detroit
The Cathedral Choir School of Metropolitan Detroit is committed to providing the finest musical education in the context of the liturgical life of the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Paul, and to nurture the best examples of citizenship.
The Cathedral Choir School of Metropolitan Detroit is a not-for-profit outreach program of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in cooperation with Cathedral Community Services. The Choir School provides an excellent fundamental music education to children in the metropolitan Detroit region, and is open to all youth, regardless of religious affiliation. Choristers focus on vocal technique, musicianship, and citizenship in the context of the liturgical life of the Cathedral. The Choir School is a community that, while focused on music, is a systematic, long-term investment in young people.
Generations of young people from all over the Detroit metropolitan area have had their musical formation in the Cathedral Choirs. The Cathedral and Choir School adhere to the principle that everyone is capable of learning to sing the finest in choral music from all composers of all periods and in a variety of languages. Young people emerge from this experience with a deep love of fine arts, enhanced self-confidence, and an ability to work collaboratively. In a time when the fine arts are not a high priority in most schools, the Cathedral continues to be fully committed to providing children with a unique opportunity for musical growth. The program is tuition-free.
Eleven Fast Facts
- The Choir School is an extra-curricular, tuition-free opportunity for youth with an interest in music and singing.
- No previous musical or voice training is required or expected.
- Young people need not be Episcopalian. The Choir is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
- Boys and Girls form the treble (soprano) section of the famed Cathedral Choir, involving consistent application of their developing musical skills, while singing the finest in choral music from all periods and in a variety of languages.
- Young people gain a thorough grounding in basic musicianship, music reading, and vocal technique through the centuries-old tradition of choral singing.
- A brief, informal try-out assesses a young person’s readiness for the program.
- Located in the heart of Detroit’s cultural center, boys and girls emerge from the program with a deep love of, and appreciation for the fine arts.
- The Cathedral Choir and Choir School are affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music.
- Those showing a strong commitment to the Choir are eligible for reduced-tuition piano lessons and summer camps.
- One of Detroit’s treasures, the Cathedral Choir has sung widely in the United States and Canada, and has made tours of England in July, 2014 and July, 2023.
- The Choir’s debut CD, Nowell Sing We was released in 2014, and a second recording, Evensong for All Saints Day was released in 2016.
About the Choir School
The Choir School is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music in America, an organization started in England early in the 20th century, which adheres to the principle that everyone is capable of learning to sing the finest in choral music from all composers, of all periods, and in a variety of languages. The RSCM model is used by many of the finest choral establishments and conductors in the USA and abroad. This curriculum is structured as a system of goals. Setting and attaining achievable goals is intended to encourage a chorister to develop his or her musical ability to the highest level. Parents will find that this system encourages self-discipline and goal setting.
The boy and girl choristers form the treble (soprano) section of the famed Cathedral Choir, involving consistent application of their developing music skills, while singing the finest in choral music from all periods and in a variety of languages.
Our choristers are not merely taught how to sing. Rather, they gain a solid basic music education through the art of choral music:
- Music Theory Skills
- Ear Training
- Vocal Technique
- Music Notation Reading
The Choir School Commitment
The growth and development of each chorister is realized by a commitment to excellence that is shared by Cathedral and the Choir School’s participating families. Success in the Choir School program depends on the commitment of the young person and the parents. Choir parents:
- Encourage the choristers
- Cooperate with one another
- Support the faculty
- Arrange carpools
- Aid in recruitment efforts
- Attend Choir School Parent Meetings
Rehearsal Schedule
Treble sectional rehearsal:
Sundays: 1:00-2:15 p.m.
Thursdays: 6:15-7:45 p.m.
A make-up time for sectional rehearsal is available on the second Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Singing Schedule
The boy and girl choristers sing the morning choral service in the Cathedral on the first and third Sundays of the month, and sing Choral Evensong at 4:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the month. In addition and in the course of an academic year, they sing the following services and events:
- The Advent Procession
- Noel Night (a holiday tradition in Detroit’s Midtown on the first Saturday in December)
- Nine Lessons and Carols (the traditional Christmas Carol Service in the style of Kings College Cambridge)
- Christmas Eve
- A midwinter concert (usually in February)
- Palm Sunday
- Maundy Thursday
- Easter Day
- Spring Concert (usually in May)
Concerts and Choir Tours
The Cathedral choirs perform in a few local concerts each season, both at the Cathedral and other churches or performance venues. Each June, the choirs make a tour, singing concerts and services in churches around the country. Past trips have included performances in Washington, DC; Toronto; Chicago; Canterbury Cathedral; a residency at Chichester Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral in England; and our recent residency in Ely Cathedral, St. Alban’s Cathedral, and Southwark Cathedral.
Choir Camp
Each summer, the choristers have a day camp in August. The camp experience enables new choristers to meet the returning singers, and for all to get to know one another. During camp, the choristers begin working on music for the upcoming program year, spend time with the Choir School faculty, and begin setting the tone for their work that will continue in the fall.
Most of our choristers count Choir Camp as the highlight of their summer!
Piano Study and Music Scholarship Program
All choristers who show commitment to the program are eligible for reduced-tuition piano study as part of their musical curriculum. These lessons are taught by one of the choir school faculty members.
Although there are no fees involved in our program, the Cathedral does offer scholarship assistance for choristers in the program who are also engaged in outside private study of an instrument other than the piano. Once a chorister has been in the program for five months, they are eligible to apply for this renewable scholarship assistance. Scholarships are announced each February.
Try-outs
Boys and girls who wish to be considered candidates for the Choir School go through an informal audition process. It is expected that entering choristers have not had previous musical training. The try-out is merely a method by which we gauge their potential for success in the program. The audition process involves a few pitch matching exercises as well as other ear exercises. We want the young person to feel as comfortable about the process as possible.
When you have had a chance to review this information and you have decided to have your young person try out, simply call the Cathedral Music Office to set up an appointment. There are no mass auditions. Our Music Staff likes to take each and every audition individually.
The choir program here at the Cathedral is a unique musical opportunity for youth. We hope you will consider becoming a part of it.
To learn more or to schedule an audition, call 313.833.7547 or email music@detroitcathedral.org.
