Music

About Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Music in the life of St. Patrick’s Cathedral began in 1839 in the early colony of New South Wales. From those early colonial days, Parramatta has flourished into a busy metropolitan centre in the western region of Sydney. The cathedral church too, has also expanded to serve the increasing numbers of people in our busy city, both physically in the new cathedral and in the schedule of liturgical services.

The music ministry of the cathedral continues to play an important role in serving the busier-than-ever round of diocesan and parish liturgies which take place throughout the year.  A team of Cantors and Organists provides music at 4 of the 5 Sunday Masses and Solemnities as well as weddings, funerals, and other major liturgies of the Diocese and it’s various agencies. St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir sings each Sunday at the 11.00am Solemn Mass, Holy Week and Solemnities and occasional Liturgies of the Hours (e.g. Vespers)

The program of liturgical music in the cathedral covers both traditional and contemporary works of the sacred music repertoire. In carrying out the desire of the liturgical documents on sacred music in the liturgy, priority is given to singing the liturgy itself.  The Ordinary of the Mass, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation are sung at all Sunday Masses and on Solemnities and Feasts by the assembly and/or choir or schola. At Solemn Masses (11.00am Sunday & solemnities), importance is placed on singing of the ministerial chants as well. The chants of the priests and deacons, are answered by the sung responses of the people. In general an entrance hymn and Gregorian Communion Antiphon and hymn are sung. On solemnities, a chant Introit may also be sung after the entrance hymn, during the incensation of the altar. The Preparation of Gifts is usually accompanied by a choir motet or organ music. At the conclusion of each liturgy, an organ postlude accompanies the departure of the ministers and people.

The cathedral is blessed to have a committed team of talented musicians who serve its liturgical life. In addition, the magnificent 1898 Norman & Beard (formerly of St. Saviour’s Church, Walton Place, UK) which graces the new cathedral, can not go unmentioned, as the principal instrument accompanying the cathedral liturgies.

I hope you enjoy perusing this site containing details of the musical life of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Bernard Kirkpatrick KSS
Director of Music