‘The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.’
Sacrosanctum Concilium 112
Music
Music is at the heart of the worship in the Church and there is an unbroken tradition of Choral singing at the Cathedral since it was consecrated.
Since the appointment of Bishop Alan Hopes, music in the Cathedral has been given an even greater role in the ministry of the Church. A new emphasis was placed on the reintroduction of musical traditions that had been unduly neglected following the Second Vatican Council, with a special place for Gregorian Chant in the Solemn Liturgy and the recitation of the Divine Office.
Bishop Peter Collins has continued this tradition through the appointment of our new Director of Music, Mr David Grealy, as well as through his active encouragement and support of the high standard of music that enhances our liturgy throughout the year.
The Schola Cantorum of Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars was set up in 2016 to enhance the musical development of the Cathedral and provides choral music at the 11am Mass on Sundays during the year, for Christmas, during the Paschal Triduum and on other feast days. In addition, the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars sing for Vespers and Benediction on Sundays, and for Vespers and Mass on Tuesday evenings.
The Schola Cantorum is complemented by the Cathedral Choristers who are a mixed group of girls and boys drawn from the local area. The Choristers rehearse twice weekly and join the Schola for the 11am Solemn mass on most Sundays.
The Cathedral also has an experienced music group who provide music for the 9am Mass on most Sundays.
Current Music List
Music List Archive
Cathedral Choristers
‘The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted, especially in cathedral churches’
Sacrosanctum Concilium 114
Boys and Girls voices in Cathedrals are a rich part of our heritage in the Catholic Church. There have been children singing at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome since the 6th Century, and in England country many foundations stretch their tradition back to the 12th Century.
St John’s is significantly newer than these foundations, having only been consecrated a Cathedral in 1976. There has not, since then, been a Cathedral choir of Boys and Girls singing Masses in the Cathedral. Since 2015, however, the Choristers have been singing regular Sunday masses, and their progress continues to impress.
Choral Scholarships
Choral Scholarships are open to those in Sixth Form, Undergraduates, Postgraduates, and recent graduates living in the local area.
The awards are worth £850 per year, paid termly, although there is the potential to earn more from extra services such as weddings and funerals, Holy Week and Christmas.
A Choral Scholarship at the Cathedral is an excellent musical education, and Scholars will be given training in singing Gregorian chant as well as regular experience in providing a high standard of choral singing with a wide repertoire. Choral Scholarships provide an excellent boost to a singer’s musical education, and for aspiring singers an understanding of the Catholic liturgy is an enormous advantage in terms of future job prospects.
Scholars will be expected to sing alongside the Lay Clerks for Masses on Tuesday evenings and Sundays, as well as sing for Vespers. They will be expected to give a recital at least once a year and are encouraged to take vocal tuition.
If you are interested in auditioning for a Choral Scholarship, please email David at music@sjbcathedral.org.uk.
Cathedral Music Group
The music group has played an active role at the Cathedral since its formation around 40 years ago.
We are a friendly group of singers and musicians including guitar, bass, violins, clarinet, and recorder. We support congregational singing at the 9am Sunday Mass each week with a variety of hymns, modern and occasionally traditional. We also provide music at the 6pm First Mass of Christmas each year. In the past we have worked with the Cathedral Choir and have provided music at weddings and funerals.
Contact Details
Organs
‘In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendour to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.’
Sacrosanctum Concilium 120
Rare amongst Cathedrals, St John’s has never had an Organ built specifically for the building. The old Pipe Organ by James Scott, a local Organ Builder was moved to the Cathedral at the end of the 19th Century to provide musical accompaniment to Masses in the Nave, before the building of the East End and Transepts. This organ failed in the 1980s, and a Bradford Computing Organ was installed.
After many years of use, however, the decision was made to upgrade the Bradford Computing Organ the work to rebuild the Organ was undertaken by Phoenix Organs. This organ has been redesigned to better support the development of music in the Cathedral, and to support the whole congregation adequately (something which was lacking with the Bradford organ).
In 2023, the Scott Organ was donated to The Pethericks, who are renovating a convent in France and were looking for an organ for the Chapel. They carefully dismantled and removed the pipe organ, transported it to the convent and are in the process of rebuilding and restoring the organ and hope to give the convent a new voice. In gratitude for the generosity of the Cathedral, and to support future fundraising efforts for our own organ, The Pethericks created a crowd funding page, donations can be made below.
We hope to raise money for the installation of an Organ best suited for the needs of the Cathedral over the next few years.
