Music in Liturgy
“. . .and so with all the choirs of angels we join in the unending hymn.” Every time we assemble for the Eucharistic Liturgy, the texts of the Roman Rite urge us to join our voices to the divine choral music of the celestial city. In an attempt to manifest on earth hints of the heavenly choirs to come, musical resources at St. James Cathedral are focused to an unusual degree on choirs and groups of choirs. At more than 150 services a year, choirs support the choir of the assembly, provide musical commentary on the texts of the Mass, and reveal something of the eternal liturgy in heaven. The fullest image at St. James of this celestial choral adoration is experienced on the Feast of Corpus Christi, when all of the Cathedral choirs join the assembly’s choir, "rank on rank," in the unending hymn: Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus.
The principal choir of St. James Cathedral is the assembly that gathers on Sundays to celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy. Led by priests, readers, and deacons who chant their rightful music, and supported by Ministers of Holy Communion, servers, and musicians, this great "choir"--often over 1,000 strong--thunders its Thanks be to Gods, Alleluias and Amens. It joins together in the singing of the "Our Father" with fullness and beauty. It performs the hymns, acclamations and responses movingly and robustly--filling the resonant space of the Cathedral in a very real foretaste of the heavenly choirs.
Wednesday, November 2, 7:30 pm
All Souls Requiem
St. James presents Fauré's sublime setting of the Requiem Mass for the Feast of All Souls. James Savage conducts the Cathedral Choir of St. James and the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra. A free-will offering will be taken during the Mass.
Thursday, November 24, 2011 9:30 am
Thanksgiving Day
The Women of St. James Schola.
Saturday, December 3, 2011 12:10 pm
Madre de las Americas
Archdiocese of Seattle Coro Hispanico, Rodolfo López, conductor, with nearly 200 dancers and percussionists from Latin America.
Saturday, December 11, 2011, 11:00 am
Simbang Gabi
Blessing of traditional Filipino laterns
Cathedral Resident Ensemble, Fil-Am Society Choir, Carmen Pelayre, director
Sunday, December 18, 2011 7:30 pm
Readings and Carols
The sublime voices of the Cathedral’s children’s choirs, Dr. Clint Kraus, director present the traditional candle-lit service of Readings and Carols, the perfect way to begin the celebration of Christmas. Free-will offering. Information 206-382-4874.
Saturday, December 24, 2011, 11:00 pm
Christmas Eve Carol Service
The Women of St. James Schola and the Cathedral Choir of St. James
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 11:00 am
Martin Luther King Celebration
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 4:00 pm
Solemn Vespers of Palm Sunday
Jubilate!, St. James Cathedral's young women's ensemble, Stacey Sunde, conductor. Free and open to all.
Holy Week Liturgies
Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 7:30 pm
Office of Tenebrae
Internationally-respected artist Margriet Tindemans, viola da gamba, joins St. James musicians in the Office of Tenebrae. Experience the purity of one, two, and three soprano voices and the solemnity of men chanting in the darkening cathedral. Among the sublime musical highlights of this year’s Office of Tenebrae are the first and third Leçons de Ténèbres of François Couperin; In monte Oliveti by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, the sublime Miserere mei, Deus by Gregorio Allegri; and instrumental responsories by J. S. Bach and Marin Marais. Tindemans will be joined by Cathedral sopranos Rebekah Gilmore, Lisa Cardwell Pontén, Linda Strandberg, Stacey Sunde & Christine Knackstedt, and the Cathedral Chant Choir, James Savage, director. Joseph Adam, portative organ continuo. The Very Reverend Michael G. Ryan, presider; Dan Jinguji, lector. You do not need a reserved pass for this remarkable evening of beauty and reflection. Free-will offering.
Thursday, April 5, 2012, 9:30 am
Holy Thursday Office of Morning Praise
The professional singers of the Cathedral Cantorei, The Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain, Archbishop of Seattle, Presider
Thursday, April 5, 2012, 6:30 pm
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
The Women of St. James Schola and the Cathedral Choir of St. James
Friday, April 6, 2012, 9:30 am
Good Friday Office of Morning Praise
The Cathedral Chant Choir, the Reverend David Brant, Presider
Friday, April 6, 2012, 12:00 Noon
Tre Ore
Jubilate! Young Women's Ensemble performs Pergolesi’s sublime Stabat Mater for the solemn Tre Ore service on Good Friday. James Savage conducts the choir, Cathedral Soloists, and members of the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra. A free-will offering will be taken.
Friday, April 6, 2012, 6:00pm
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
The Women of St. James Schola and the Cathedral Choir of St. James.
Saturday, April 7, 2012, 9:30am
Holy Saturday Office of Morning Praise
The Women of St. James Schola, the Very Reverend Michael G. Ryan, Presider.
Saturday, April 7, 2012, 8:30pm
The Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
The Women of St. James Schola and the Cathedral Choir of St. James.
Sunday, April 8, 2012, 10:00 am and 12:00 Noon
The Masses of Easter Day
The Cathedral Choir of St. James, Cathedral Soloists, and Cathedral Brass.
Sunday, April 8, 2012, 4:00pm
Solemn Vespers of Easter
The Women of St. James Schola.
Sunday, April 8, 2012, 5:30pm
The Masses of Easter Day
The Women of St. James Schola.
Sunday, June 10, 2012, 10:00am
Corpus Christi Sunday
Nearly 180 Cathedral Choristers come together to celebrate the 10:00 Mass on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Cathedral Choir, Women of St. James Schola, Jubilate! Young Women's Ensemble, Schola Cantorum, St. Cecilia Singers, and St. Gregory Choir.