Music
Music has been a part of St George's life from the founding of the parish in 1792. For much of the past 80 years, the Cathedral Choirs have been amongst the best known in Kingston and far beyond. In 1954, St George's choir was the first choir from North America to ever sing daily services in Westminster Abbey. Further trips to England in 1965 and 1979 firmly established the choir as a bastion of English Cathedral Music in Canada.
Our young chorister programme has been designed to provide a significant music education to our choristers. While the joy of singing together is the focus, choristers learn sight singing, music theory, and history. Learning about teamwork, commitment, and most importantly, building self confidence are also benefits of the programme.
Begining this September, any interested young person, age seven and up, is invited to join us for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm and Saturday at 10:00am.
We welcome all young singers, regardless of their musical experience or faith background and we’re looking for young people interested in singing, with commitment to attend weekly in-person rehearsals.
If you are interested in your child being involved, please connect with us via the form at the bottom of this page - we are happy to hear from you!
Choral Evensong is held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7pm. This service is designed to allow for reflection and calm and is held midweek in the evening to provide a break to our busy lives.
One of the treasures of the Anglican tradition, evensong is a service of sung evening prayer. It is the only Cathedral service led almost entirely by the choir. The interspersing of music—spanning from the Renaissance to our time—between familiar passages of scripture and ancient prayers, creates a contemplative mood. Lasting about 40 minutes, the service is a wonderful way to end the day.
A number of secular groups use St George's as a performance space. More information about performances will be available in the future when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
As part of the Cathedral's outreach to the Kingston community, we are pleased to make our spaces available for Queen's University Music Students to rehearse and perform. If you are interested in taking advantage of this , please get in touch via the form on this page.
Interested in Music?
IF YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN ARE INTERESTED IN SINGING OR HAVE GENERAL MUSIC INQUIRIES, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM:
In the late 1920's the Woodstock Organ Company provided St. George's Cathedral with a three manual organ on which today's instrument is based.
Dr. George Maybee initiated a massive rebuilding project, completed in 1963. Thirty-two new ranks were installed along with a new console closely resembling that of Westminster Abbey. The British firm of Hill, Norman and Beard was chosen to complete the work.
In the mid 1980's the organ was again rebuilt. A solid-state electronic console replaced the previous electro-pneumatic console.
The most recent renovation was completed in 2012 by Sylvain Brisson and Alain Gagnon, including a new console, and restoration and expansion of all divisions.
