Cathedral choir and musicians continue to uphold faith and tradition
St Mary’s Cathedral Choir travelled to Geraldton where they sang at annual Geraldton Blessing of the Fleet in September 2021. Photo: Fr Robert Cross.
By Amanda Murthy
St Mary’s Cathedral musicians and choristers continue to evangelise and positively impact the Catholic and wider community they serve.
The pandemic has not stopped the group from booking performances from historical commemorations such as the Dante 700 ‘Visions of Dante’ event last November at the Boola Bardip Museum, which showcased the life of Tuscan author Dante Alighieri through art, poetry, comedy, and song.
In September 2021, the trebles of the Cathedral Choir travelled to Geraldton where they sang at the annual Geraldton Blessing of the Fleet.
During this trip, the group also took advantage by making several stops along the way, ending at the iconic Monsignor Hawes buildings – where they were joined by a convoy of pilgrims.
The trebles played at all the Masses at St Francis Xavier Cathedral – with some of these being organ Masses; the Solemn Sung Mass was a highlight as they played (and sang) with the newly formed new St Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir.
Last month, members of St Mary’s Cathedral Young Organists programme (aged 17 to 24 years old) visited Geraldton for Young organists’ ‘camp’ on 15 and 16 January 2022.
This programme first began in June 2020 and provides training for young aspiring musicians enabling them to learn the craft of being a good organist functioning in Catholic Liturgy.
St Marys Cathedral Director of Music Jacinta Jakovcevic spoke about some of the highlights of the camp.
St Mary’s Cathedral Choir at the Dante 700 ‘Visions of Dante’ event last November at the Boola Bardip Museum, which showcased the life of Tuscan author Dante Alighieri through art, poetry, comedy, and song. Photo: Supplied.
“Monsignor Hawes often spoke about churches being ‘poems in stone’ and it was wonderful for our young musicians to experience the spiritual richness of this building and its crypt - and to experience the distinctive acoustic of this building with its dome and two pipe organs when they played,” Ms Jakovcevic said.
“Incidentally, the original pipe organ was built by West Australian organ builder John Larner who was a great supporter of young musicians discovering the pipe organ – our own St Mary’s Cathedral Organ Scholarship bears his name.
“The Sunday 9:30am High Mass was also a highlight where our organists played ‘in relay’ through the Mass each playing various parts – they also accompanied the newly established St Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir, so it was wonderful to collaborate with them and contribute to their work and ministry. And of course, another highlight would be getting up to our usual fun such as visiting the nearby wind farm and capturing the memories,” she added.
Ms Jakovcevic cited it has been a rewarding experience for St Mary’s musicians, to keep busy and gain new experiences that are not only educational and spiritually enriching for them - but are also wonderful opportunities the Church has an outreach to not just Catholic communities but the wider community.
St Mary’s Cathedral Young Organists programme (aged 17 to 24 years old) visited Geraldton for Young organists’ ‘camp’ on 15 and 16 January 2022. This programme first began in June 2020 and provides training for young aspiring musicians enabling them to learn the craft of being a good organist functioning in Catholic Liturgy. Photo: Supplied.
“The bigger events like the one at the Boola Bardip Museum put the cathedral and Catholic Archdiocese into the spotlight, creates positive conversations with the wider community, and hopefully inspires young people to want to be a part of a church choir,” Ms Jakovcevic explained.
“I’m extremely proud of all our choristers and musicians and the attitude they have towards the Church and Liturgies. It is wonderful to see them grow and develop as good Liturgical musicians, and in their sense of prayer and reverence towards God through their work and these activities – these young people really are our future.
“It’s exciting that some of them are already active musicians in their parishes so it’s great for them to be able to take all these skills and experiences and contribute to their own parishes,” she concluded.
The group during their trip to Geraldton where they sang at annual Geraldton Blessing of the Fleet. During this trip, the group also took advantage by making several stops along the way, ending at the iconic Monsignor Hawes buildings – where they were joined by a convoy of pilgrims. Photo: Fr Robert Cross.