The Choir

The Choir of St Paul's Cathedral has been a generous contributor to the religious and musical life of Melbourne for over a century. St Paul's enjoys a long tradition of musical excellence.  

Founded in 1888, some three years before the opening of the Cathedral, the Choir took up temporary lodging at All Saints Church, St Kilda, while the building of the Cathedral was completed. Boys and men were recruited, and after three years' training, all were ready for the great day, 22 January 1891, when the Choir led the procession of clergy into the Cathedral for the official opening.

The present Choir consists of 18 boys and 16 men. The Choir sings choral evensong on Tuesdays to Fridays at 5.10pm during school terms and the 10.30am Choral Eucharist on Sundays and Sunday night Evensong.

The Choir is involved in many major diocesan and civic services. The Choir is renowned for its carol services at Christmas, Advent and Easter and has maintained a tradition of singing 'The Crucifixion' by John Stainer each Good Friday since 1891.

The current repertoire is large and varied, ranging from the 13th Century through Tallis, Gibbons Byrd, Purcell, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Stanford, Elgar, Sumsion, Rutter, to works written for special occasions by the current Director of Music, Dr June Nixon.