Figure 1.--The Christ Church Cathedral Choir is seen here in their red robes for religious services.

The Men and Boys' Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, first formed in 1891, serves as the Cathedral's primary Choir. The choir sings for all major Cathedral services, and also, for special events taking place in the Ottawa context, ranging from State funerals in the Cathedral to State receptions hosted by the Prime Minister or by the Governor General at Rideau Hall. The Gentlemen of the Choir is made up of 16 adults and up to 14 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 20 years. The teenagers receive a small stipend based on their attendance at rehearsals, services and performances, and the adults give their time and talents freely to the Glory of God. The choirboys are between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. The Choir is usually featured in one or more concerts in the annual Cathedral Concert Series.

The Choirs of Christ Church Cathedral

The Men and Boys' Choir

The Men and Boys' Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, first formed in 1891, serves as the Cathedral's primary Choir. The choir sings for all major Cathedral services, and also, for special events taking place in the Ottawa context, ranging from State funerals in the Cathedral to State receptions hosted by the Prime Minister or by the Governor General at Rideau Hall. The Gentlemen of the Choir is made up of 16 adults and up to 14 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 20 years. The teenagers receive a small stipend based on their attendance at rehearsals, services and performances, and the adults give their time and talents freely to the Glory of God. The choirboys are between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. The Choir is usually featured in one or more concerts in the annual Cathedral Concert Series.

In 1989, the Cathedral Choir made a ten-day visit to Canada's Western Arctic, which was received everywhere with great enthusiasm. During the tour, the Choir sang the music of the Church in English, French and Latin, and also sang songs and hymns in three languages of Canada's Northern First Nations.

In 1990, in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Choir sang in Washington National Cathedral as part of the National Cathedral's Year of Dedication. In 1992, the Choir continued its visits to other parts of Canada in a ten-day tour of Canada's Atlantic Provinces. The Choir's last tour went to Alberta and British Columbia.

The Boys' Choir of Christ Church Cathedral

The 24 choristers of the Cathedral, ranging in age from eight to fourteen, sing with the gentlemen of the Cathedral Choir in all regular morning services as well as special events such as carol services. The boys, who come from all over the Ottawa-Hull region, rehearse after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, are trained to the standards of the Royal School of Church Music, and are in demand themselves as a concert group. They progress through a series of levels marked by light-blue, dark-blue and red ribbons, as they progress form junior singers, to senior singers and head-boys. The choirboys have often sung a Christmas concert at Rideau Hall for the Governor General, and they are particularly popular at concerts at seniors' homes as well as at government receptions or at weddings. When the Cathedral Choir goes on tour to isolated parts of Canada, the boys always sing several works on their own because audiences in other areas do not often have the opportunity to hear trained choirboy voices. The older boys are given private voice lessons weekly by the Cathedral Organist, and develop into highly competent soloists in their own right; many have appeared in solo roles at the National Arts Centre in oratorios and operas. In addition to their regular singing in the Cathedral Choir, they are prepared for the voice examinations of the Toronto Conservatory of Music and for individual and group participation in the annual Kiwanis Music Festival.

Uniform

The Christ Church Cathedral Choir has red eclesiastical robes for religious services.