Music
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The Cathedral of the Holy Cross Welcomes New Choir Members!
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The liturgical life of the Cathedral is a beacon of faith and light to not only the Cathedral Parish but to the entire Archdiocese of Boston. Nurturing the faithful through joyful prayer and song, the various choirs of the Cathedral assists the community in uplifting their voices in praise to God. As St. Augustine says, “Music is for the one who loves.”
There are several choirs at the Cathedral you may join. If you love to sing, please e-mail Richard Clark or speak to him after Mass. Through your prayer and through your song, you may affect people in ways you may never know. We look forward to hearing from you!
Cathedral Choir
Under the direction of Richard J. Clark, the Cathedral Choir sings at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays, Holy Days, and, special Archdiocesan liturgical celebrations with the Archdiocesan Choir. The Cathedral and Archdiocesan Choirs model the ideals of sacred music espoused by Vatican II, singing music that spans centuries — from Gregorian Chant and Renaissance Polyphony to sacred treasures of the Twenty-First Century. Please e-mail Richard Clark to schedule an audition.
Archdiocesan Festival and Youth Choir
Directed by Richard J. Clark, the Archdiocesan Choir consists of the Cathedral Choir plus dozens of singers and musicians from all over the Archdiocese of Boston. This often includes children aged nine through high school forming the Archdiocesan Youth Choir.
This choir performs several times during the year at special liturgical celebrations with His Eminence Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley. These are regularly televised on Catholic TV. This includes ordinations of priests and deacons, the Chrism Mass, and the Rite of Election among other liturgies. They have also sung at concerts and even the National Anthem at Fenway Park. Rehearsals are announced depending upon the event. For more information please e-mail Richard Clark.
Schola Amicorum ~ Traditional Latin Mass ~ Extraordinary Form
Under the direction of John Salisbury, the Schola Amicorum sings at the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form). High Mass with Gregorian Propers, chant and polyphony are celebrated each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and Holy Days. For more information please e-mail John Salisbury or see him after Mass.
El Coro Español | Misas en Español
El coro español canta en la misa de las 9:30 am los domingos y días santos dirigido por William Maldonado. Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a William Maldonado.
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“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.”
- Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, §112 -
Our Music Director
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Richard J. Clark | Cathedral Music Director and OrganistRichard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and Director of Music and Organist of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
As Director of Music of the Archdiocese, Mr. Clark will oversee music at archdiocesan liturgies as well as provide leadership and guidance to parish music programs and archdiocesan liturgical projects.
Prior to his appointment at the Cathedral in September 2018, Richard J. Clark served Saint Cecilia Parish in Boston for 28 years where he oversaw a diverse and thriving parish music program. He also served Boston College and the Jesuit Community as Organist and Cantor at Saint Mary’s Chapel from more than 14 years. Furthermore, he has served the Archdiocese in numerous liturgical projects, conferences, and liturgies. This includes directing music for the 2017 and 2018 Presbyteral Ordinations, the Dedication Mass of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage, directing recordings of The Roman Missal Chants (2011), overseeing music for the 2016 National Conference on Diocesan Vocation Directors, and editing the “Music for First Communion and Confirmation – A Catechetical Guide for Liturgical Celebrations” (2015). In addition, he served on the Advisory Committee for the St. Paul Hymnal (2016).
As a composer, his liturgical, choral, and organ works have been performed worldwide and are published by World Library Publications, Lorenz/The Sacred Music Press, CanticaNOVA Publications, RJC Cecilia Music, and Corpus Christi Watershed. As performer and composer his eclectic appearances include St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NY), Saint-Eustache (Paris), the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (D. C.), the Celebrity Series of Boston, Fenway Park, and the New York Songwriters Circle at NYC’s historic “The Bitter End.”
Mr. Clark lives with his wife and four children in Milton, Massachusetts, where they are parishioners at St. Agatha Parish.
The Cathedral Organ
Audio Samples
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross contains an 1875 E. and G. G. Hook & Hastings pipe organ, the largest, and arguably finest, instrument ever built by that company.
Click organ for specifications. »
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Upcoming Musical Events
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Happy 147th Birthday, Cathedral Organ!
Sunday, 4 June 2023 | 3.00 pm
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross celebrates 147 years since the dedication of its principal organ, the 101-rank E. & G. G. Hook & Hastings Opus 801, on February 23, 1876.
To honor the instrument’s birthday, several of New England’s notable organists will perform variety of works by on the historic pipe organ of 5,298 pipes. Performers include Leo Abbott, Cathedral Director Emeritus; Rosalind Mohnsen, Immaculate Conception Parish, Malden; Thomas Mellan, International Performing Artist; Brink Bush, International Performing Artist; and Richard J. Clark, Director of Music of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
» Works by Bach, Reger, Rheinberger, Franck, Jongen, Barnekow, and Mushel will be performed.
Suggested Donation:
$25 General Admission
$15 Seniors | Students
17 and under: FREE
»Tickets available online here.» You may also click here to make a donation of any amount directly to the Cathedral Organ Restoration Fund.
» Click here for the flyer.
THANK YOU
to the generous donors
for their contributions to
the Organ Restoration Fund!We are deeply grateful to many who have contributed so generously to the Cathedral Organ Restoration Fund. This keeps our 145-year-old historic pipe organ maintained and in top shape for all liturgies and broadcasts on Catholic TV.
You may also make a tax-deductible gift to the Cathedral Organ Restoration Fund, or write a check made out to the “Cathedral of the Holy Cross” with the memo “Organ Restoration Fund,” and mail to 75 Union Park Street, Boston, MA 02118. Thank you for your support.
We also wish to acknowledge the following who have donated so generously within the last year. Thank you!
Saint Pius X Circle | $10,000+
John and Cathy White
John Dunn
Robert MarierSaint Gregory Circle | $5,000+
The Kresge Foundation
Christian MuchaPostlude Circle | $1,000+
Baxter Family
Michael Kristen
Julia Rogers, in Memory of Margarita and Juan Llibre
CAM AssociatesHymn Circle | $500+
Mary Kane
Gregory Merklin and Jennifer Lester
Karl Saur
Jacob Venter
Robert J. HenryPrelude Circle | $100+
Robert Almond
Raimondo Di Bona
Lourdes Gonzalez
Peter and Madeline Scheve
Dr. James and Denyse Rotta
Timothy Richard
Sr. Marie Paul Jaston
Mark Donohoe
Russell Baldwin
James Grabovac
Fr. John Kiley
Mark Nemeskal
Joyce Painter Rice
Jean Kelly
Joseph and Deborah Dyer
Paul Milinazzo
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‘From the Bell Tower’ — Boston Cathedral Singers Release First Album
Available on all digital formats including:
iTunes | Amazon Music | Spotify | Tidal Napster | Pandora | Anghami | qobuzBOSTON – A beacon of light during the height of the pandemic, four singers at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross sought artistic refuge in the Cathedral bell tower where its bells toll each day.
The tower’s most unusual acoustic properties were miraculously friendly to singers forced to wear masks and stand far away from each other. Each week immediately after Mass at the Cathedral, they made a new recording.
Several months later, the album From the Bell Tower is the result.
