Music

The Music Ministry of the Cathedral serves to lead and enhance the worship in song of the gathered community.

The choral tradition of the Cathedral began in the early 1920s, under the guidance of the Rev. Charles E. Davis, as a men and boys choir. Through the years, the structure of the music ministry has evolved to meet the needs of our church.

The Cathedral has two active choral groups: the Cathedral Choir, and a women’s choral group: Khoros. The Cathedral Choir is our primary, mixed-voice choir; on one Sunday/month Khoros together with the Cathedral Players (acoustic instruments) lead the music.

Our music is a blend of old and new. The choral music repertoire features many of the fine contributions to the rich Anglican music tradition built over centuries, from plainchant to the renaissance masters, but also draws on modern composers, such as Joel Raney, John Bell, and many others. Many of the hymns we sing are from Common Praise (1998), which is our pew hymnal; we supplement this text with material from other collections, including the recent supplement to Common Praise titled Sing a New Creation (2022), and Hymns Ancient and Modern (2014).

The music of the Cathedral is supported by two excellent instruments. While our old Abbott and Smith pipe organ now sits silently in the Chancel, a large and highly versatile Rodgers 3-manul digital organ serves in its place. A 7-foot Yamaha grand piano also serves regular in worship and for the use of the many community-recitals and concerts held by various groups in the Cathedral space.

Music is an important part of the life of the Cathedral and in keeping our eyes and ears open to the beauty of the creation and the Creator, that ‘the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea’ (Habakkuk 2:14).

The Choir Director is always happy to hear from singers and musicians interested in contributing to the musical life of the Cathedral!

Jeff Egger, Choir Director

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7pm, September-June

HISTORY of the PIPE ORGAN

This pipe organ was purchased in 1934 from St. Andrew’s Wesley-Methodist Church in Vancouver.  It was built by Abbott & Smith in Leeds, England and is estimated to be over 100 years old.

There are approximately 1,500 pipes. Those on the north wall of the sanctuary are functional and those on the east wall, facing the congregation, are decorative.

Inscribed below these latter pipes are the Latin words, “Nisi cor Te Laudet Nequaquam Opus” (“Without Heart Praise is Worthless).

Organ Renovations:

  • 1950 : By means of a bequest from William Francis and Eliza Jane Whiteway, a new console was installed by Casavant Freres at a cost of $5,820. It consisted of 3 manuals of 64 keys each. 19 stops and 32 foot pedals.
  • 1965 : A complete renovation was done by S.E. Haddon of Vancouver at a cost of $4,405. He estimated the value of the organ to be $30,000 at that time.
  • 1970, 1979, 1984, 2001 : further renovations
  • 2015 : Through an anonymous donation, The Cathedral was given a new Rodgers digital console valued at $145,000.

HYMN SELECTION

The hymn selection group consists of a few members from among the choir, the Choir Director, and the Dean, meeting seasonally to set the hymns for Cathedral services in keeping with the themes of the liturgical season and the weekly Scripture readings.

ST. CECILIA GUILD

The purpose of St. Cecilia Guild is to promote a vibrant Music Ministry at the Cathedral by sponsoring performance events, and occasional fundraisers, to benefit groups such as the Choir, Youth Programs and other mission projects of the church.

In addition to holding events featuring the choirs of St. Michael and All Angels, the guild sponsors groups from outside of the Cathedral community to perform in its renowned acoustic setting. Some past events have  included:

  • The Common Cup Company
  • Summer “Bring Your Lunch” concert series featuring local vocal and instrumental performances from Bach to Ella Fitzgerald.
  • A mid-week Advent concert series
  • The Kelowna Gospel Choir : spring and Christmas concerts
  • The annual Lessons & Carols for Christmas at the Cathedral