The Cathedral Choir School at St. Brigid Elementary School
In 2009, St. Mary’s Cathedral entered into a partnership with St. Brigid Elementary School to establish a choir school there. A five stage development was proposed, starting with building up of the existing school choir program into a vibrant ensemble, then enhancing music education for all children in the classroom, with more time for music class and a curriculum inspired by the Kodaly and Ward Methods, which stress vocal music, music reading, and artistic expression. This curriculum is brought up one grade at a time, so that by the year 2020 the whole student body will be musically literate and can sing in parts.
The Choir School is a program for children with these components:
● Saint Brigid School Honor Choir: numbering between 50 and 60 members, this choir resides at St. Brigid Elementary School, which is within the parish boundaries of the cathedral. The music staff at the school teaches a rigorous curriculum inspired by the Ward and Kodaly methods, which are vocal pedagogies by which children learn to be musically literate by experiencing, creating, and participating in music. The choir is an extra-curricular activity, although many functions happen during the school day. A select chamber choir has an additional rehearsal once a week before school. The Honor Choir and the Chamber Choir sing for school and cathedral functions and also participate in other Archdiocesan and private events. Choir scholarships, which provide assistance with school tuition, are available based on merit and need. The choir is open to 3rd through 8th graders by audition.
● Saint Brigid School provides an extensive musical education for its students. All students, not just choir members, are beneficiaries of this unique program. The curriculum centers on the Ward and Kodaly Methods, a graded system based on vocal music, stressing music reading and artistic expression. The methods are used exclusively in K-7, and grade 8 benefits from some elements of both systems as well. To enhance these methods, classroom instrument instruction is integrated into the music curriculum. For more information about Saint Brigid School, please visit the website, saintbrigidsf.org
● Saint Brigid School Honor Choir: numbering between 50 and 60 members, this choir resides at St. Brigid Elementary School, which is within the parish boundaries of the cathedral. The music staff at the school teaches a rigorous curriculum inspired by the Ward and Kodaly methods, which are vocal pedagogies by which children learn to be musically literate by experiencing, creating, and participating in music. The choir is an extra-curricular activity, although many functions happen during the school day. A select chamber choir has an additional rehearsal once a week before school. The Honor Choir and the Chamber Choir sing for school and cathedral functions and also participate in other Archdiocesan and private events. Choir scholarships, which provide assistance with school tuition, are available based on merit and need. The choir is open to 3rd through 8th graders by audition.
● Saint Brigid School provides an extensive musical education for its students. All students, not just choir members, are beneficiaries of this unique program. The curriculum centers on the Ward and Kodaly Methods, a graded system based on vocal music, stressing music reading and artistic expression. The methods are used exclusively in K-7, and grade 8 benefits from some elements of both systems as well. To enhance these methods, classroom instrument instruction is integrated into the music curriculum. For more information about Saint Brigid School, please visit the website, saintbrigidsf.org