Music at the Cathedral of St Stephen
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The Cathedral of St Stephen boasts a strong lively music program. As music is a gift of God, it is fitting that this great gift should be used to give glory to God through our regular worship. It also reflects the energy, skill and genius of composing and performing musicians over centuries of activity.
The St Stephen’s music program is staffed by both professional and voluntary musicians. Organist and cantor accompany all Sunday masses, and choirs lead two of them. The Cathedral has its own concert series, which features both Cathedral musicians, and other local and international artists. The Cathedral also hosts concerts given by outside organisations. The Jubilee pipe organ is a recent addition to Cathedral resources and is a significant benefit and inspiration to all worshipers as well as the wider Brisbane community. The Cathedral of St Stephen strongly encourages the vocal participation of the assembly in its worship. Its organists, cantors and choirs provide effective leadership in the congregational singing of hymns, psalms, responses and parts of the mass. At the same time, the Cathedral recognises that music performed by musicians and heard by the congregation also proclaims the Word and supports the prayer and praise of the assembly.
Weekday masses are generally unaccompanied, though on solemnities and certain feast days and the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, an organist and cantor may lead them. The Marian Mass on Saturday at 11.30am is led by organist and cantor, as is the Vigil Mass on Saturday at 6.00pm and the Sunday morning 8.00 Mass. Organist and cantor also lead the Sunday evening 7.30 Mass with music that is slightly more contemporary. On the first Sunday of each month the Cathedral hosts a Young Adult Mass at 7.30pm which features small instrumental and vocal ensembles. The Cathedral Choir sings at the 10am Sunday Mass, and the Cathedral Schola or Chorale sing at the 12 noon Mass. Morning Prayer is celebrated with the singing of psalms and hymns every Friday at 8.30am, and daily during Advent and Lent. |
