Music

The Cathedral Choir sings Sundays at 11 a.m. and other special services. Made up of auditioned volunteers and paid professionals from the church, the choir’s repertoire is rooted in the Anglican cathedral tradition, spanning sacred choral music from the 16th century to the modern era.

The Choir School is an after-school program that offers children a world-class musical training at no cost financially. Choristers have the opportunity to tour, attend summer choir camp, make recordings, and—of course—sing excellent music.

St. James presents special choral services throughout the year, performed by the Cathedral Choir and joined by outstanding local and international musicians.

St. James Cathedral welcomes singers from throughout the diocese for Evensong on October 22, 2023. Register today!

St. James is one of the teaching locations for the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC), which annually serves more than 2,000 students of all ages and ability levels. MIC offers lessons from distinguished faculty in piano, strings, voice, woodwinds, brass, and harp.

St. James Cathedral is excited to announce an innovative new organ project. In the summer of 2023, St. James will acquire and restore the 1957 J.W. Walker & Sons organ from the London City Temple. This project will bring a world-class organ to St. James while preserving a musical treasure. Restoration and installation at St. James Cathedral is expected in 2025.