Sacred Music at the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater reflects the authentic musical tradition of the Church by granting pride of place to the treasures of Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, sacred choral classics, and finest hymnody. September through June, the St. James Collegium Musicum Choir sings only the very best music, which includes sacred music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Modern eras. Repertoire sung weekly at the 9:00am and 11:00am Sunday choral Masses includes works by a range of notable composers, such as, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, William Byrd, Andrea Gabrieli, Herbert Howells, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, Florent Peeters, Healey Willan, Ola Gjeilo, and many more.
The two Sunday choral Masses, while nearly identical, have a few key distinctions…
9:00am Sung Mass
Our Sunday 9:00am Mass is a formal Mass where the introit, offertory and communion antiphons are sung each Sunday in English to simple chant tones. At this Mass, the Nicene Creed and Lord’s Prayer are recited in English. The ordinaries (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, etc) are sung to choral Mass settings by the choir. Any congregational ordinaries at this Mass are sung in English.
11:00am Solemn Mass
Our Sunday 11:00am Mass is as solemn as the Novus Ordo Missae can be. The Gregorian introit, offertory and communion antiphons are sung each Sunday in Latin. Also at this Mass are sung the Nicene Creed (Credo) and the Lord’s Prayer (Pater Noster) in Latin, and the ordinaries (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, etc) are sung to choral Mass settings by the choir. Any congregational ordinaries at this Mass are sung in Latin.
Employment opportunity!
The Collegium Musicum Choir is currently seeking all voice parts. Regular and substitute positions available.
Regular position entails two weekly Masses and a rehearsal, all on Sunday, as well as major feast days and special occasions throughout the year.
For more information about the Collegium Musicum Choir, or if you are a professional singer wishing to apply, please contact our Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy and Sacred Music, Joshua Gusman, at: music@protocathedral.org
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Recordings of the St. James Collegium Musicum
(See more under Videos and Recordings on the main page)