History of Our Music

Little is known of music in the early years of the parish, although records do indicate some essence of music and choir during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The first mention of an organ was a contract signed in 1910 by the pastor, Msgr. Lee, for the construction of an organ. A newer organ was built in 1951 that lasted until the current one was installed in the east transept of the Cathedral. The construction of the new organ, known as the Lively-Fulcher organ, was begun in the mid-1990s and was finally completed in 2019.

In 1910, Msgr. Lee appointed the first choirmaster, Malton Boyce. Mr. Boyce then formed the essence of the choir that has come down to the organization we know today as the “Schola Cantorum.”

Cathedral Choir Directors

  • Malton Boyce (1910–1946)
  • Dr. Conrad Bernier and Charles Benson (1946–1949)
  • C. Eugene Stewart (1949–1974)
  • Robert Shafer (1974–1977)
  • Dr. Paul Traver (1977–1980)
  • Dr. Gerald Mueller (1980–1997)
  • John P. Balka (1997–1999)
  • Jennifer Goltz and William Culverhouse (1999–2008)
  • Thomas Stehle (2008 to present)