Cathedral Choir 2007 /2008 Concert Season Rush Hour Concerts Organ Tower Bells     From the Director of Cathedral Music Welcome to Cathedral Music 2007-08 at St. James Cathedral. St. James Episcopal Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Episcopal Church in Chicago, has had a distinguished musical tradition since its founding in 1834. Literally thousands of musical programs have been presented within the musically and visually stunning Cathedral. This tradition continues and you are invited to take part!   In 2007-08 St. James presents an exciting, yearlong schedule of Cathedral Concerts and Choral Services and choral services from September through May, followed by Rush Hour Concerts from June through August.  These events will present musicians from around the world in solo recital, in chamber music recitals, and in full concert presentations with orchestra and the Cathedral Choir. A full spectrum of concert programming is planned to offer you the opportunity to experience great music-making in one of Chicago’s great churches.  We invite to become a Friend of Cathedral Music by making a contribution to support these musical events. All monies contributed by the Friends of Cathedral Music are directed exclusively to the presentation of these concert events. For more information, please contact me at bbarber@saintjamescathedral.org or 312-751-6724. Thank you for your generous support!   Sincerely,  Bruce J. Barber II Director of Cathedral Music  Music History of St. James From the founding of St. James Church in 1834, music and the arts have been an important and integral part of our worship services and outreach programs. The building itself is a work of art, from the stained glass windows to the elaborate stenciling on the walls and ceiling, to the carved wood of the pulpit, doors and altar rails. The visual arts, music, dance and drama help us to express our devotion to God as they transform our worship with sounds and sights. A Men and Boys Choir was formed in 1884, and by the early 1900s, the choir was recognized as one of the leading choirs in the United States. In the 1920s, the choir make-up changed from men and boys to a professional mixed-voice choir. This is the present Cathedral Choir, which provides musical leadership for the Cathedral Eucharist on Sunday mornings, for Choral Evensong Services and for Diocesan Services held at the Cathedral. The Choir, currently numbering 24 professional musicians, is under the Director of Cathedral Music, Bruce J. Barber II. Their repertoire, rooted in the great Anglican Cathedral tradition, spans sacred works from the 16th Century through 21st Century commissioned works. In 1918, a music series was introduced consisting of organ recitals, chamber works and choral presentations. The tradition continues today with the Cathedral Concerts series and the summer-time Rush Hour Concerts. Internationally acclaimed artists from Chicago and around the world perform on these music series. Spanning the history of St. James, several prominent organists and composers have served as Cathedral organist-choirmasters, including Dr. Clarence Dickinson, Dr. Peter Lutkin, and Dr. Leo Sowerby. Cathedral Choir 2007-2008 Concert Season Rush HourConcerts Organ Tower Bells Organists at St. James