The Cathedral of St. Patrick Choir, directed by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, is predominantly a liturgical choir, and the heart of the music program at North America’s most prominent Roman Catholic church.
Former acclaimed music directors include Pietro Yon and Charles Courboin, prior to Vatican II. Established in its present form by the late John Grady, the Choir is made up largely of volunteer singers and a small professional group, and prepares music from every era for more than one hundred liturgies and other special events throughout the year. These include the Solemn Pontifical Mass each Sunday and the nationally televised Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
In its liturgical role, the Choir has performed for many heads of state and the Secretary General of the United Nations, and with soloists such as Renée Fleming and Placido Domingo. In 1995 the Choir sang for His Holiness Pope John Paul II at the Mass in Central Park and the recitation of the Rosary at the Cathedral of St. Patrick.
With the founding of the Friends of Music at St. Patrick’s, under the late John-Michael Caprio, the choir expanded its concert activities, and has since been featured on the BBC’s popular “Songs of Praises” television series, Nippon Television, NBC’s “Today” show and ABC’s “Good Morning America”.
The Choir has recorded several CDs and performed with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Wroclaw Philharmonic, members of the Vienna Philharmonic on PBS, the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein, and at events for the Richard Tucker Music Foundation.
If interested in auditioning for the Cathedral of St. Patrick Choir, please call 212-753-2261, ext. 274. Interested persons must be able to read music and have extensive choral experience.
