The Cathedral Choir of St John the Evangelist, under the direction of Greg Heislman, is a semi-professional ensemble, numbering approximately 24 singers from throughout the greater Cleveland metropolitan area, which sings at the 10:30am & 12:15pm Sunday masses from October through June. Weekly rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 6:15-8:15pm. Interested, qualified singers are always welcome to join the Choir, with a brief audition at the discretion of the director. Contact gheislman@dioceseofcleveland.org to discuss joining the choir.

In addition to the requisite liturgical hymns, psalms and canticles, the choir sings primarily a cappella literature, with an emphasis on music of the Renaissance, as well as Gregorian Chant Propers during the primary liturgical seasons. Repertoire is in compliance with the mandates of the 2nd Vatican Council’s, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 1963):

• 114. The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted, especially in cathedral churches.
• 116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations, so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action.

In 2008, the Cathedral Choir won 1st prize in the WCLV Jubilation Church Choir Festival, a Northeast Ohio regional church choir festival, broadcast live on Cleveland’s Classical FM 104.9. The Cathedral now hosts this annual WCLV festival as part of its Helen D. Schubert Concerts series.

The Choir has recorded 6 CDs, all of which may be ordered and purchased on this website at Cathedral Choir Recordings