St Mary's Cathedral Choir, Sydney
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The St Mary's Cathedral Choir is the oldest musical institution in Australia. In 1818 a group of choristers was formed to sing Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament in the Dempsey Household, the centre of Catholic worship in Sydney as a penal colony. When St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney was constructed, the successors of these choristers formed the Permanent Cathedral Choir under the guidance of Catherine Fitzpatrick.
Now over 175 years old, the Choir is formed of approximately forty choristers and sings at High Mass every Sunday and on special holy days, and has gone on many tours and concerts, and sometimes singing with the Brandenburg Orchestra (2003, 2005)
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[edit] Choir tradition
In faithfulness to the Benedictine English tradition from which the Cathedral's founders came, the choir is a liturgical choir for male voices, boy trebles and adult men, thus preserving historical character of the Catholic liturgical and musical heritage.
The Choir is involved in the Cathedral's life of prayer and worship. New choristers (whom usually join as boy sopranos in Grade 5) learn not only about music, but also about the Catholic Church's faith, history and culture. The Choir is currently run by David Russell and Elizabeth Swain, and managed by John Edwards. The Choir performs works by Palestrina, Vittoria and other well-known composers from times past and the present.
[edit] Choir crest
As part of the Cathedral, the Choir has its own Coat of Arms. This crest appears on the medals worn by head-boys, corner-boys (assistant head-boys) and others with a special role. The crest is divided into two equal parts, both with much symbolism. In colour it is blue (the colour of St. Mary), crimson and white (the choir colours), and gold (colour for feasts of the Lord).
The left panel bears the arms of the Cathedral itself. The cross, symbol of Christian faith in the redemption, is mounted on the crescent moon, symbol of the Blessed Virgin, the Patroness of the Cathedral. Christian tradition represents her as the Fair Moon, preceding the rise of Christ, the Sun of Justice.
The right panel displays a musical stave of Gregorian chant, imposed upon an archbishop's cross. The stave bears the first notes of the famous gregorian hymn to the virgin "Alma Redemptoris Mater" (Hail, thou Mother of the Redeemer). It is a reminder both of their musical vocation and of the Cathedral's special consecration to the virgin mary. The archiepiscopal cross with its double cross-bar belongs exclusively to archbishops, and may be carried before them in procession. It is the sign that the Cathedral is the personal seat of the Archbishop, the centre of unity in the diocese.
[edit] Sources
- St. Mary's Cathedral Choir Chorister's Manual, Archdiocese of Sydney (Published By The St. Mary's Cathedral Choir, Compiled by James Chegwidden, Copyright (C) 2002-2006)
