Photo courtesy of Nicole Gerdes.
By Laura Melius
“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.” – Sacrosanctum Concilium, or “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy,” Second Vatican Council
The Cathedral of Saint Joseph has a long tradition of well-established adult choirs who provide sacred music for liturgies. Continuing this tradition, as well as training cantors and providing for music ministries, does not happen by accident.
Nicole Gerdes, director of the St. Joseph Cathedral Children’s Choir, began pursuing the idea of creating a children’s choir in the summer of 2024. “Formation of Catholic youth needs to begin at a young age,” she explained. “The vision of St. Joseph Cathedral Children’s Choir, or SJCCC, is to have an additional sacred music opportunity for children throughout the diocese.”
Recognizing that families have varied school schedules and activities, her first objective was to determine what rehearsal schedule would best serve the students by reaching out to potential choir members’ families.
“With the support of the clergy and the support of the sacred music program at the cathedral, we were able to start rehearsals in the fall,” Nicole said. Choir members, ranging in age from grade 2 to grade 8, attend one of two weekly rehearsal times: one during the day or one after school. The two sections join together to sing for Masses. Four parishes from the diocese are currently represented: Cathedral of Saint Joseph and Christ the King parishes, Sioux Falls; St. Mary Parish, Dell Rapids; and St. Magdalen Parish, Lennox. The choir is open to all within driving distance of Sioux Falls.
Some choristers have musical experience, but for others, this is their first exposure to sacred music. When a student is interested in joining the choir, Nicole will meet with the student and their family for an audition. During the audition, Nicole will sing with the student to hear their musical abilities and vocal range, listen to them read, and learn about vocal talents and any previous experiences in music. If a student has an area that needs special attention, such as note reading, Nicole will meet with them for a few weeks in preparation of joining the full choir.
“The audition for SJCCC is to ensure that if a student needs assistance, they are able to receive it,” she explained. “Singing can often feel vulnerable because the body is your instrument. Being involved and singing with a choir where the goal is to glorify God with the voice and lift hearts to prayer allows students to explore vocal training. Students are able to find and train their voice in a safe space.”
Three elements of formation are included in each rehearsal: musical, faith and liturgical. “The goal is to create a quality musical experience where students can learn how to use their God-given gifts and talents and create a beautiful sound together while learning through a lens of faith along the way,” Nicole shared. “We prepare music for masses, integrate music education and literacy and incorporate spiritual formation through music and learning about liturgy. It has been a highlight for me to see their knowledge of faith intersect with the work we are doing in SJCCC.”
The SJCCC draws from the Catholic Church’s rich, centuries-old repertoire of sacred music, including hymnody, sacred choral pieces, Gregorian chant, Simple English Propers and Marian antiphons. The choir explores the varied ways that sacred music can be incorporated into the liturgy. Nicole notes that learning the Propers of the Mass has been especially interesting for the choristers, who now connect the Scripture being sung in the Introit or Communio to the feast day being celebrated.
The choir has learned to navigate more complex musical arrangements as well. A favorite choral selection has been the setting of “Ave Maria,” by Edward Elgar, which the choir prepared for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The choir provides music for major feast days, as well as diocesan events such as Chrism Mass and diaconate ordination.
“These larger diocesan liturgies are a wonderful way for students to experience the musical culture of the cathedral,” Nicole said, “as well as having the opportunity to learn about the masses they are singing for in an even more thorough way.”
The cathedral itself has provided an environment that has contributed to the choir’s liturgical faith and liturgical formation. “I have seen how students are inspired to create beauty when they are surrounded by beauty,” she said. “The cathedral is special because whether it is eight voices or 35 voices, the space sounds of beauty and tone of what is being sung. Singing in the cathedral is an experience to revel in, and the choristers quickly become enthralled with the acoustics and magnificence of the space.”
As the children grow in faith and develop their voices, friendships have inevitably grown among them. “I am excited to see how the SJCCC grows and the friendships that develop when families from all different parishes come together to glorify God,” Nicole said. “There are so many activities to choose from, and I am delighted that Sioux Falls can host a Cathedral Children’s Choir where students can participate and strive for excellence.”
Many have expressed how uplifting it is to hear a children’s choir at Mass, and that it is comforting to hear the tradition of sacred music being passed onto the next generation. “After one of the masses, a guest priest commented, ‘There is nothing better than a children’s choir at Mass,’” Nicole recalled.
These children’s voices may be filling the cathedral now, but they are also being prepared to share their voices with the Catholic Church as a whole as they grow.
“We hope that students become more involved in active participation in the sacred liturgy,” Nicole expressed, “and by offering a worthwhile musical opportunity, they will be able to serve their home parishes as confident leaders in sacred music.”
Laura Melius is a freelance writer and DRE at All Saints Parish in Mellette. She has a degree in English and a certificate in Catholic catechesis.
