About the Chorale
A Little History
Founded by the late Monsignor Richard J. Schuler in 1956, the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale has been singing at the Church of Saint Agnes since 1974.
The Second Vatican Council ordered that the treasury of sacred music be preserved and fostered with great care. It also commanded that the Latin language be used in worship and Gregorian Chant be given pride of place in liturgical celebrations.
We are trying to fulfill these directives by singing polyphonic Masses with orchestra, a capella compositions and the propers of the Mass in Gregorian Chant.
A New Era
In 1999, Msgr. Schuler began to transition conducting duties to his chosen successor, the late Dr. Robert L. Peterson.
Dr. Peterson’s share in conducting increased from a few Masses in his first season until 2003, when he became the primary conductor. He became the Music Director in 2006, and remained so until his retirement in 2019.
The Chorale Today
Many Catholics and music lovers have heard choral Masses only in concert halls, but we offer a very different experience: choral Masses sung as an integral part of the liturgy, as the composers intended.
Now in his sixth year as Music Director of the Chorale, Dr. Marc Jaros will conduct the approximately 60 volunteer singers and our professional orchestra and vocal soloists: Laura LeVoir, D.M.A., soprano; Jocelyn Kalajian, contralto; John deCausmeaker, tenor; and Andrew Nalley, bass. Lawrence Henry is the organist.
The Chorale and the Church of Saint Agnes
While the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale initially made its home at the University of Saint Thomas—where Monsignor Schuler taught music—it wasn’t long before the Chorale made its new home in the same parish where the beloved Monsignor was pastor: the Church of Saint Agnes.
We feel blessed to be able to sing in this lovely and acoustically fine structure. Modeled by Stift Sclagl, a monastery church at Aigen, Upper Austria, it reflects the Austrian and Bavarian origins of Saint Agnes’ founding families. Its 205-foot high Zwiebelturm (onion tower) is a landmark visible throughout Saint Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood.
The Schola Cantorum
Today, the Schola Cantorum boasts up to fifteen members and sings the proper parts of the 10:30 AM Mass every Sunday throughout the year.
In addition, the Schola sings the ordinary parts of the 10:30 a.m. Mass through most of Advent, Lent and all through the summer months. The Schola also sings the Office of Vespers every Sunday at 3:00 p.m., and a Latin Mass every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.
