Welcome to the choirs of Christ Church Cathedral, an Episcopal Cathedral with a music tradition of excellence and joy in the service of God. Our music program strives to instill a passion for singing great sacred music in the Anglican Tradition. The Cathedral choirs regularly prepare and offer music from many centuries and from around the globe. From Anglican chant and canticles, to compositions of Palestrina, Bach, Howells and Rorem.

Children and Youth

“I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also”- RSCM motto

Children have a unique ability to absorb and learn. A hallmark of the Cathedral music program is instilling children and youth with a passion, joy and sense of purpose for singing great sacred music. Regarded nationally as a leader and innovator in the development of treble choirs, the Cathedral music program provides instruction for boys, girls and teens based on the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music www.rscmamerica.org . Children and youth deepen their sense of history, liturgy, language, and art, as well as their ability to interpret sacred texts and music. Instruction balances warmth and humor with structure and attention to detail. As they learn and work together, choristers develop lasting friendships and become part of a community that uplifts individual and collective efforts.

The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys and The Cathedral Girls Choir , are among the very few of their kind in North America and are patterned after the centuries-old English Cathedral choirs. The boy and girl choristers come from throughout the Lexington area and from a variety of schools and religious backgrounds. Choristerships include weekly vocal and music theory instruction, training in sight singing and musicianship and a monthly stipend.

The choirs have sung by invitation at some of Europe ’s great Cathedrals such as Saint Paul ’s and Westminster Abbey, London UK and partake in concerts, broadcasts and recordings. In July of 2007, the choirs sang an exciting weeks residency at Canterbury Cathedral, UK. In June of 2008 the choirs will travel to New York City to sing at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. For one week each summer, the boys and girls come together for choir camp at the Cathedral Domain in Irvine, Kentucky.

For more information, please contact: Cathedral Choirmaster, Erich Balling eballing@ccclex.org or 859-254-4497 ext 117. Children may enter the choirs at any time during the academic year.

The Cathedral Boys Choir, is open to boys beginning at the age of 7 or 8 (entering 2nd grade). The choir rehearses on Wednesdays, 4:30-6:15 (Grades 4 & up) and Fridays 4:30-6:00 (All Boys-Grades 2nd and up) -sharing dinner together from 6:00-6:30 once per month, with a social activity following. The boys sing each Sunday at either the 10:30 AM Eucharist or 5:00 PM Evensong as well as special services and concerts throughout the year.

The Cathedral Girls Choir, is open to girls entering third grade through age 18. The choir rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-6:15 . The girls sing each Sunday at either the 10:30 AM Eucharist or 5:00 PM Evensong as well as several special services and concerts. Regular social activities are arranged throughout the year.

















Primary, Saint Nicholas and Saint Cecilia Choirs

The Primary Choir is for boys and girls ages 4&5. They continue with “God’s Children Sing”, using “Friends in God’s world” curriculum. Primary choristers work on moving to music and finding and using their singing voice.
Saint Nicholas and Saint Cecilia (patron Saint of music) Choir is for boys and girls ages 6 and 7. Choristers work on improving the singing skills, basic notation and reading, movement and Christian understanding. This is a preparatory choir for the Cathedral Boys and Cathedral Girls choirs. These choirs combine and sing an Introit once per month at the 10:30 Sunday morning service and at the 5:30 Christmas Eve liturgy. The Primary Choir meets on Wednesdays 4:15-4:45 and Saint Nicholas and Saint Cecilia Choir meets Wednesdays 4:15-5:00.


The Cathedral Mens Choir

Each year the Cathedral appoints several professional salaried “Lay Clerks” (or choir men), singing counter-tenor, tenor and bass with the choristers of the Cathedral Choirs and on occasion as a separate ensemble. Provision is made each year for several more volunteer singers. Admission to the choir is by competitive audition and auditions are normally held each Fall. Audition requirements include vocal ability and sight-singing. Please contact the Choirmaster for more information. Students at Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky are particularly encouraged to apply.


The Cathedral Singers provides an opportunity for parishioners, unable to make a weekly rehearsal schedule, to make music as an all adult ensemble. The intention of this choir is to draw adults into music ministry in ways that are sensitive to their busy schedules. The Cathedral Singers sing several special services through out the year including Advent Lessons and Carols, noon-time Ash Wednesday service and the Great Vigil of Easter. The Cathedral Singers are the primary choir during the summer months when the Men and Boys and Cathedral Girls are in recess. Please contact the Choirmaster for more information.



Click here to download the Choir Calendar for 2008


Photos courtesy of John Geddes (choir photos from England, top banner - center photo, The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys and The Cathedral Girls Choir photo, and the Cathedral Boy's Choir photo and from Michelle Dunlap.