Capella Pueri
One of the few professional children’s choirs in the Southeast, Capella Pueri brings to life the timeless sound of the European choir school tradition, with world-class musical repertory and exacting performance expectations.
They debuted on All Souls’ Day 2008 with members of the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Gallery Choir singing two liturgical offerings of Fauré’s Requiem, and have been the featured chorus in Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet's productions of the Nutcracker with the Columbia Festival Orchestra since 2011.
Other repertory highlights include choruses from Bach's Weihenachts Oratorium and Cantata 140 (sung in German), and the East Coast premier of James MacMillan’s "Tue es Petrus" (sung in Latin) for the Opening Convocation of the Region IV Convention of the American Guild of Organists. Their civic engagements have included the City of Columbia's 225th Birthday Celebration, Vista Lights, and a performance at the Columbia Museum of Art.
Please contact Jordan DeRouen, Organist and Choirmaster, for information about participating in the Capella (jordan@visitstpeters.org). If you would like to underwrite a Capella Scholarship, or help with annual administrative costs, you can do so through our donations page.
Children's Choir
Led by parishioner Karen Williams and assisted by parishioner Zelia Stroy, our Children's Choir gathers on Sunday mornings from 10:15-10:45 AM (between the morning Masses) in the Choir Room to grow in love for sacred music and have fun! The Choir will occasionally sing at a Sunday Mass as well, to share what they've learned with the parish. Children in grades 1-5 are welcome.
Questions? Contact Karen Williams: krw64@hotmail.com
Contemporary Ensemble
Saint Peter’s Contemporary Ensemble is an adult group of singers and instrumentalists that provides music ministry leadership for the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass as well as special liturgies throughout the church year. For over forty years this group has provided liturgical music at the Sunday evening Mass in a contemporary, yet classical style. The ensemble utilizes St. Peter’s beautiful nine-foot Steinway piano as its primary accompaniment, with added guitar and other instruments.
The Contemporary Ensemble is always open to new members who enjoy choral contemporary singing and to instrumentalists with a desire to share their musical talents. Rehearsals are held each Sunday at 4:30 PM while extra rehearsals are added during the Lent/Easter and Advent/Christmas seasons. Please contact Matthew DeGuire for more information: matt@visitstpeters.org
¡Coro Hispano!
The Coro Hispano leads the congregation in Spanish-language music at Masses in Spanish and other bilingual liturgies. A vital part of the Hispanic community of St. Peters, the group brings the flavor of Latin American culture, tradition and music to liturgy at St. Peter’s. The Coro Hispano rehearses each Sunday after Mass and additionally for special liturgies.
The Coro Hispano welcomes all singers and instrumentalists of varied ages and experience who understand or speak Spanish, and those who have an interest in Hispanic culture and music. ¡Vamos cantando al Señor!
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Gallery Choir
History
Saint Peter’s Church has a long history of distinguished musicians that have led liturgical music in her glorious and resonate acoustic. Previous directors in the past century have included Mrs. Curran (Marie) Jones (1910 – 1964), William (Bill) Jollie (1964 – 1995), Dr. Trent Zitzelberger (1995 – 2002), Jerrold Tidwell (2002 – 2005) and Mark Husey (2005-2015).
The Gallery Choir had the honor of singing for Columbia’s 1987 Papal Visitation of Pope John Paul II. Their repertory includes an array of Masses, Motets, and choruses from major Oratorios, in addition to anthem repertory and newly commissioned works by Peppie Calvar and David Clay Mettens: all sung in their original languages.
Auditions
Because of the breadth and level of difficulty of the repertory sung by our Gallery Choir, prospective members are asked to sing privately for the Choirmaster to test for range, reading ability, intonation, and vowel placement.
Singers with previous choral experience who:
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can comfortably read a four-part hymn
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can sing polyphonic motets
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know the Mass comfortably in Latin
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can blend their timbres and vibratos
are usually the best fit for the group.
Please contact Jordan DeRouen for more information on singing in the Gallery Choir or contributing towards its continued growth and success.