The Choir School

Registration is open for the fall of 2025!

To learn more, call (312) 787-7360 or email our staff

About the Choir School

The St. James Cathedral Choir School offers a free, world-class music education to children starting in 3rd through 8th grade. In addition to weekly rehearsals, each chorister receives a one-on-one weekly voice lesson and a 50% scholarship toward instrumental lessons offered by the Music Institute of Chicago at St. James. The Choir School is open to families of all faith backgrounds, and we provide a free supper for the whole family after weekly rehearsals. Each chorister receives a modest stipend for their singing which increases as they gain experience.

The Choir School is about more than music - we’re about community. By learning music together, choristers develop discipline, empathy, teamwork skills, and friendships to last a lifetime. The choristers and their families are a tight-knit community who support one another, volunteer together, and love to have fun while making beautiful music.

Regular Schedule

The choristers rehearse every Wednesday afternoon and sing for one of the Sunday services, following the school calendar. On Wednesdays, choristers arrive after school for homework time, music lessons, and other activities. Rehearsals begin at 4:30 p.m. and conclude with a brief service of Evensong at 5:45 p.m. Supper follows for choristers and their families. Additionally, each chorister receives a weekly voice lesson to hone their vocal technique and musical skills.

We participate in an ancient tradition, renewed in the 21st-century. Young choristers have been making music in cathedrals for centuries, and we carry that tradition forward in a modern way. The choristers lead the music at Wednesday Evensong and one of our Sunday morning services every week. The choristers tour, perform in the community, and sing alongside the St. James Cathedral Choir, one of the finest liturgical ensembles in the city. Recent highlights have included:

  • A tour to Washington, DC to sing Evensong at the National Cathedral
  • Choir camps and festivals in Wisconsin, Indiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee
  • An appearance in concert with renowned British ensemble VOCES8
  • Christmas Caroling at the Driehaus Museum
  • Broadcasts of Christmas services on WFMT radio

How is the Choir School different than other children's choirs?

Most children's choirs teach children to sing by rote. They typically memorize their music and perform infrequently. In a chorister program like the Choir School, we teach children to be independent musicians, singing serious classical music at a professional level. The choristers perform at least twice a week in services and learn over 100 anthems, hymns, and other pieces each year. As a result, they learn how to read music fluently and develop confidence that carries into all facets of their lives.

The Music Institute of Chicago

Choristers are eligible to receive scholarships for instrumental lessons taught by the Music Institute of Chicago at St. James Cathedral. The Music Institute leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music through unparalleled teaching, exceptional performances, and valuable service initiatives that educate, inspire, and build strong communities. The Music Institute welcomes more than 1500 students of all ages, levels of experience, or financial means, across eight campus locations, including Chicago. In addition, the Music Institute (pre-pandemic), welcomes thousands of visitors annually for performances, master classes, and special events at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.

The Royal School of Church Music

The St. James Choir School is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music, which promotes excellence in church music across the globe through its graduated standards, courses, and educational materials.

 

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