Sacred Music at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Come, hear, and experience the transcendent beauty of God in one of our liturgies or concerts.
Generations of composers and musicians have contributed to the Church's treasury of Sacred Music. Because of their efforts, countless faithful have been transformed by the experience of the divine through the beauty of the music of the Sacred Liturgy.
Join a Cathedral Basilica Choir
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is dedicated to cultivating a program whereby you can become part of the story and experience the transformative power of Sacred Music.
Are you a passionate singer looking for an opportunity to share your voice in a sacred and inspiring setting? The Cathedral Basilica is home to three distinguished choirs, each open by audition.
The Archdiocesan Choir
Welcomes singers from parishes across the Archdiocese.
The Cathedral Choir
Composed of dedicated members of the Cathedral parish.
The Schola Cantorum
The Cathedral's premier professional vocal ensemble. This ensemble specializes in polyphony, chant, and also sings with the Cathedral Choir for Sunday liturgies.
Singers and instrumentalists wishing to join any of these choirs or the Cathedral Instrumentalists should contact the Office of Sacred Music at [email protected] or 314-373-8228 for more information and to schedule an audition. All auditions happen by appointment. Review the audition requirements before scheduling your appointment.
Archdiocesan Youth Choir
Do you have a child that loves music? Would you like to see your child in a setting that encourages them to grow in their love for Jesus and in their love for music? They can do both while singing in the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis! Do not miss this opportunity to get your children involved in all of the most beautiful and enriching Archdiocesan events including: Ordinations, Chrism Mass, and Christmas at the Cathedral, and more. Fill out the interest survey to receive updates as the program restarts.
Cathedral Concerts
Saint Louis Cathedral Concerts is a real treasure for classical and sacred music lovers in the St. Louis region. Visit the Cathedral Concerts website to get the details of the world-class artists who visit the Cathedral Basilica each season.
We are honored to be a part of the Choral Series with MorningStar Music. The Series contains some of the very best in Choral Music and Service Music for today’s church. Come to the Cathedral and “Experience Great Music in a Great Space.”
Archdiocesan Musician's Mass and Memorial of Saint Cecilia 2026
On behalf of the Cathedral Basilica and the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, we are pleased to invite you and your parish adult choir, youth choir (grades 4-12), and school choir members to participate in a Festival Choir for the celebration of St. Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians. This special Mass is to honor all musicians of the Archdiocese and includes a blessing for musicians at the conclusion of the liturgy.
Please mark your calendars for Saturday November 21st from 8am-1pm. More information coming soon!
Sincerely,
The Archdiocesan Choir, Youth Choir, Cathedral Choir, and Schola Cantorum
Musician's Mass Details & FAQ
We encourage music directors to sign up their choir members via the link provided:
We will mail out scores before November 1st.
We ask that music directors allocate some time to introduce the piece to their choir members who plan to attend. Because we will teach the entire piece in rehearsal, do not expect it to be "performance ready."
Dress as you would for Sunday Mass.
There is no lunch provided; choristers may bring a small lunch. There is a reception with light appetizers, snacks, and drinks provided following Mass.
Yes, as it helps us plan for the number of attendees. The sign-up form provides the opportunity to indicate if you wish to participate in the choir or simply attend Mass.
Yes, as we only have one opportunity to rehearse as a combined ensemble, all must attend the rehearsal if they wish to sing the festival choir piece with the choir.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis Organ Scholars
The Cathedral Basilica trains the next generation of organists through its Organ Scholar Program, open to high school students with formal piano or organ instruction and aspirations for a career in organ and sacred music. Advanced pianists with no formal organ training are encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration.
Three scholars are currently in the program.
Kaitlyn Foppe
Kaitlyn began her organ studies at the Cathedral Basilica during her junior year of high school under the instruction of Andrew Kreigh and Ben Blasingame. She graduated from Father McGivney Catholic High School and is now attending the College of the Holy Cross, where she is pursuing a degree in music and continuing her organ studies with Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez. In addition to organ, she plays violin and piano and sings in choir. She was a finalist in the 2026 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, performing on violin at the Fox Theater. She also won the NFMC St. Louis District Steinway Competition in piano in 2023 and was a member of the Cathedral Choir during her senior year. She is grateful for the opportunities provided by the Organ Scholar Program, which inspired her to pursue further studies in organ and sacred music.
Colton Pyle
Colton Pyle will be entering seventh grade at Holy Trinity Catholic school. He began playing piano when he was eight years old. His passion was always to play the organ, which he began at the age of 10. Colton loves watching videos, learning the ins and outs of organs throughout the nation and world. In his free time, he enjoys camping with his family and kayaking and hunting. Colton is grateful to be part of the Cathedral Basilica Organ Scholar Program.
Skyla Arana
Skyla Arana is an organ scholar at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. This is her first year in the organ scholars program, where Skyla aims to develop her organ skills and deepen her knowledge of liturgical playing. She is a senior at Fr. Mcgivney Catholic High School in Glen Carbon, IL. Skyla has been studying piano for twelve years under the instruction of Susannah Arana. In addition to her piano studies, Skyla plays clarinet in the Edwardsville Municipal Band, sings in her school choir, serves as a mass accompanist, and is a student music director for her school's musical. Following graduation, Skyla hopes to continue her music education at the university level.
Cathedral Basilica Organ Scholar Position
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is seeking one highly gifted musician to fill the open organ scholar position.
For more information, please contact Andrew Kreigh Director of Sacred Music Archdiocese and Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 314-373-8228.
Cathedral Basilica Music Staff
Artists in Residence
Mr. Scott Kennebeck
Scott is Executive Director/Artistic Director of Saint Louis Cathedral Concerts at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. He is responsible for running all aspects of the organization including marketing, development, selecting artists, and programming educational events. He holds a Bachelor of Fine and Performing Arts degree from St. Louis University, in both Vocal Performance and Theatre and is an active performer in St. Louis.
Since 1993 he has served as the Tenor section leader for the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis Choir and Archdiocesan Choir of Saint Louis. He also serves as cantor for the Cathedral Parish, as well as at major Archdiocesan events. He was a cantor/soloist for 100,000+ in attendance and a worldwide television broadcast audience for the Papal Mass in St. Louis, Missouri in 1999. He has toured as soloist throughout the United States, Italy, England, Germany, and Austria. His performances have included Verdi’s Requiem in Rome, Italy; Hector Berlioz’s Te Deum in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, and numerous performances of Handel’s Messiah as well as other oratorios including The Seven Last Words of Christ by Dubois. He has also performed with Union Avenue Opera and the St. Louis Muny. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine and Performing Arts/Music and Theatre from St. Louis University, and has studied voice with Christine Armistead at Washington University.
In 2017 Scott was one of the winners of the St. Louis Blues NHL franchise “Search for a National Anthem Singer” competition. Since then he has sung both the Canadian and US National Anthems for over 20 NHL games at Enterprise Center to wide-spread acclaim.
Scott has multiple recordings with his collaborator John Powel Walsh including Pie Jesu, Midnight Clear, Angels Bending Near the Earth, Words to Music (Songs of Eugene Field), and Emerald Tribute, honoring the great Irish singer, John McCormack.
Ms. Lea Zelaya
Born to a musically inclined Air Force family, Lea spent her childhood overseas and in Kansas, her family actively injecting themselves into every Catholic parish. As a result, Lea began cantoring at Mass at a young age, inspiring her passion for music and furthering her education in it. She relocated to St. Louis where she graduated with departmental honors from Webster University, earning a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. While attending Webster, and after, Lea was an active cantor at Holy Redeemer Parish in Webster Groves. The parish’s mahogany baby grand piano, which turns 100 years old in 2024, was gifted to her and now rests proudly in her living room.
Since 2016, Lea has held principal roles with the American Kantorei, a professional ensemble specializing in the works of J.S. Bach. Prior to joining the Basilica, she was the Soprano Section Leader and Soloist at Christ Church Cathedral, the heart of the Episcopal diocese in downtown St. Louis. Lea also held her senior recital in their sanctuary, conveying the musical expression of faith throughout history. In an effort to bring worship to parishioners during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lea and her husband hosted the music for Christ Church Cathedral’s services virtually from their home.
An in-demand soprano throughout the Midwest, Lea has performed as a soloist in numerous Cantatas and Masses, Händel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and St Paul, Fauré’s Requiem, and other sacred works by Olivier Messiaen, Benjamin Britten, and Camille Saint-Saëns. Operatic roles include Euridice in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Rosina in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, and Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
She has also performed in backup ensembles for Josh Groban and the Eagles.
“Not everyone discovers their calling in life, but I am blessed to have found mine through the incredible, selfless gift of music.”
– Lea Zelaya
Great Cathedral Organ
The Cathedral Basilica's organ began as a two console Kilgen instrument in 1915 and has grown, through four rebuilds and additions, into 118 ranks and 7,621 pipes across five manuals. Explore the history of the organ and its modifications over the years.
The first Kilgen Organ in the Cathedral was dedicated by Most Rev. John J. Glennon on the Feast of St. Louis. The organ had two duplicate four-manual consoles, one placed in the gallery with the main organ and the other in the sanctuary behind the main altar with a smaller instrument. There was also a Celestial division whose pipes were in the dome of the Cathedral.
Contracts were signed for the new Kilgen Organ (behind the main altar). The organ would be 77 ranks of pipes which included 14 stops from the 1915 Kilgen Organ. Total cost was $34,375.00 and the existing organ!
Contracts signed for the Processional Organ (South Gallery). The organ consisted of 10 ranks of pipes on a two manual console, playable also from the main organ. The instrument was previously the Echo Organ in Carnegie Hall, New York City. Total cost was $9,825.00.
Dedication of the new Kilgen “Liturgical Organ”. The Blessing of the organ was given by Most Rev. Joseph E. Ritter and the dedication recital was played by Cathedral Organist, Dr. Mario Salvador.
The Rededication Concert of the Kilgen Organ, rebuilt by M.P. Moller, Hagerstown, Maryland. Cathedral Organist, Dr. Mario Salvador, was the recitalist and the Saint Louis Cathedral Choir sang.
The Edward and Eileen Roehr Memorial Console and Organ Renovation Project was dedicated at the 10 a.m. Mass by Msgr. James Telthorst and a Dedicatory Organ Recital was played by Organist, Composer and restoration project consultant, Dr. Charles Callahan. The restoration was done by the Wicks Organ Company, Highland, Illinois, and included a new four-manual console in the sanctuary, the refurbishing of the Gallery Console, new solid-state circuitry throughout, several new ranks of pipes (bringing the total to 96 ranks) and some digital stops, including five 32′ stops.
The Charles and Margaret Mary Callahan, Sr. Dome Division was installed in the East transept in the Summer of 2002. This new dome division consists of 15 ranks of pipes (855 pipes) made up of a new principle chorus and a 5 rank cornet. An additional 10 ranks (610 pipes) were added to the gallery organ to enhance the choral singing from the south gallery. All of these additions were made possible though the generous gifts of Charles Callahan, Jr. of Vermont (the organ consultant for the entire project), Ms. Flora Symons of Washington, DC, and parishioners Paul and Lynette Raidt, and A. William Larson. All of the pipework, except the cornet, is from the 1951 Aeolian Skinner organ, the First Church of Christ Scientist, Boston. The new Cornet V was built by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois. On Sunday, January 7, 2007 on the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the Roehr Memorial Console, the dome Organ was dedicated to the memory of Charles and Margaret Mary Callahan Sr. The concert was played by organist Dr. Charles Callahan, Jr. The Archdiocesan Choir of St. Louis also participated in this dedication.
The organ is now 118 ranks, 7,621 pipes.
The final phase of the restoration of the organ was completed in 2011, when the small two-keyboard console in the gallery was replaced with a five- manual console acquired from St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church in New York City. It is one of only two of five manual consoles built by the Aeolian-Skinner Company. Having a full console in the gallery returns the organ to its original state. It was refurbished by the Emery Brothers of Pennsylvania. The five new keyboards are constructed by the Colby Company of Kentucky to match the original Aeolian-Skinner keyboards.
The cathedral had two duplicate consoles from 1915 to 1949. In 1949 the main organ was moved downstairs and was only controlled from the main console. The restoration and installation of the console was made possible by a donation by Cathedral parishioner Brian Abel Ragen.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis has had four Directors of Music and Organists in its history: Mr. William Diebels, 1915-1939; Dr. Mario Salvador, AAGO, 1940-1992; Dr. John Romeri, AAGO, ChM, 1992-2010; Dr. Horst Buchholz, 2011-Present.
Visit Us
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis welcomes visitors every day. Explore the rich history, inspiring architecture, and transcendent art or simply come to pray. Drop in on your own or schedule a guided tour and discover why this place has long been called "the Rome of the West."