I will sing with the spirit and with the understanding also.
motto of the Royal School of Church Music

The Cathedral has a long tradition of excellence in music, dating to 1831 when the parish purchased its first organ—only the second such instrument in Detroit. The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys was founded in 1884, and thus it enjoys one of the longest unbroken traditions of any such choir in the United States. The Girls and Womens’ Choirs were formed in 1917. In 2001, the Schola Cantorum, a small, auditioned chamber choir was added and these three ensembles present a great breadth of sacred choral music in liturgies and in concert.

Affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music in America, the choirs sing the principal Sunday service at 11:00 a.m. weekly, as well as various occasional events such as Choral Evensong (an afternoon service of music and prayers), the Advent Procession (a service of music and words in preparation for Christmas), and the beloved service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which is traditionally sung during the week before Christmas.

The choirs have sung with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, have appeared in concert with orchestra in the Cathedral. They sing annually on the Music at the Cathedral concert series, appearing with our own renowned music staff as well as artists from around the country.

The choirs make one domestic tour annually, and in recent years have been heard in Rochester, New York; Toronto; Cleveland; Chicago; Alexandria, Virginia; and in the Washington National Cathedral. During the summer of 2014, the choir was in residence at Chichester Cathedral in England for a week, also singing at Canterbury Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral.

Adults who wish to learn more about becoming involved with the Cathedral Choirs are asked to contact Mr. Jeremy David Tarrant, Organist and Choirmaster.

Music Office: 313.833.7547
email: music@detroitcathedral.org

A unique musical opportunity for children

Boy and Girl choristers in the Cathedral receive their musical training through the Cathedral Choir School of Metropolitan Detroit, an extra-curricular music opportunity that provides children of Metropolitan Detroit a solid, basic music education, free of charge.

Generations of boys and girls 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 children are capable of learning to sing the finest in choral music from all composers of all periods and in a variety of languages. Choristers in the Cathedral Choirs are not merely taught how to sing. Their rehearsal time is divided between rehearsing the music to be sung and learning music theory skills, ear training, vocal technique, music reading, and so on. Therefore, at the end of a child’s time in the choir, he or she has gained a solid basic music education, free of charge. Children emerge from this experience with a deep love of fine arts, enhanced self-confidence, and an ability to work collaboratively.

Visit the website for The Cathedral Choir School of Metropolitan Detroit

Listen to the Choir on SoundCloud