The Cathedral Choir

n  Choir Openings
n  Organists/Choirmasters 
     (Past & Present)           

The Cathedral Choir is a mixed, professional choir currently numbering 31 musicians which leads the worship of the Cathedral congregation. Composed of stipendiary and non-stipendiary musicians, the Choir has a distinguished history of service to the Cathedral, the Diocese and the community at large through services, concerts and recordings. Drawing from a wealth of sacred music ranging from the pure, polyphonic music of the 16^th Century through the most daring of sonic tapestries by modern day composers, the Cathedral Choir continually seeks to offer musical presentations which are characterized by a well-shaped and beautiful tone, rhythmic precision and thoughtful interpretation.

The Choir leads the Sunday morning Eucharist year-round at the 10:30 am service and sings Choral Evensong the first Sunday of the month, October-June. They also sing for ordination and confirmation services held at the Cathedral, for Holy Days observed by the Cathedral and Diocese, and on the Cathedral Concert Series. The Choir rehearses on Sundays, following the morning Eucharist (12:10-1:45).  

During the summer months, the Cathedral Choir welcomes those who wish to sing on a “drop in” basis. Anyone interested in singing for one, two or any number of summer Sundays is welcome to come, without notice, and join the Choir in the rehearsal room at 9:30 am. The only requirements are an ability to read music and a desire to share in the leading of the congregation through great music.

Committed to the ministry of St. James Cathedral, the Choir welcomes all who are interested in participation, regardless of religious affiliation or faith practice. To arrange for an audition, please contact Bruce J. Barber II, Director of Cathedral Music, at the Cathedral Office, 312-751-6724.


Bruce J. Barber II
Director of Cathedral Music

Bruce J. Barber II was appointed Director of Cathedral Music in January 2004. He is the Cathedral's principal organist, conductor of the Cathedral Choir, and Artistic Director for the Cathedral Concert Series.

Prior to joining the staff of St. James, Mr. Barber served as Canon Precentor and Director of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral Church of St. John, the Diocese of the Rio Grande, Albuquerque, New Mexico for 10 years. At St. John Cathedral he developed a highly respected and internationally known music program consisting of a large choral program for both children and adults, various multi-faceted concert series and an organ recital series. He has performed with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Symphony Orchestra and the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and has conducted a wide range of sacred music for choir and orchestra, ranging from Bach to Beethoven, Brahms to Durufle, Bernstein and Stravinsky. He has made two CD recordings with the Musicians of St. John’s Cathedral, To the Creator of Light: Choral Music from the Cathedral Church of St. John and All This Time: Music for Advent and Christmas, both of which have been critically acclaimed.

Since moving to the Chicago area, Mr. Barber has performed with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, at both Symphony Center and at Ravinia Park, under such notable maestros as James Conlon, Helmuth Rilling, David Zinman and Duane Wolfe. At St. James Cathdral, he has led the Chamber Orchestra of St. James and the Cathedral Choir in performances of works by Mozart, Haydn, Pinkham, Rutter and Handel.

Trained as a choral and orchestral conductor, an organist and cellist, Mr. Barber holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, and a Master of Music Degree from the Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. His organ mentor at Yale was the late Robert Baker, who was a student of Clarence Dickinson, organist at St. James in the 1880s and again from 1903 to 1909.

With Bernard Zinck, Professor of Violin at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he has performed concerts for organ and violin both in the United States and Europe. In 2003 the duo completed a concert tour that included performances in Holland and France, and master classes in Italy. Mr. Barber's professional affiliations are as a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians, a member and Past Dean of the American Guild of Organists, and Board Member of Early Music Now, which presents leading performers of early music in concert in the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.

Join the Choir  (Choir Openings)
We invite those who wish to join the choir to contact Bruce Barber, Director of Cathedral music at 312-751-6724 or bbarber@saintjamescathedral.org