Music

The choir of St Canice’s Cathedral is a voluntary choir of adults and young people, who all share a passion for music.

There are many benefits in being a chorister. Young singers learn life skills such as self-discipline, teamwork, sense of responsibility, communication and social skills as well as musical and vocal skills.
If all of that isn’t enough, you might be interested to hear some of these perks of being a cathedral chorister:

• Make new friends: many famous people have been choristers. From Ed Sheeran to James May – in various interviews they all claim they made lifelong friendships from their time as choristers. Our choir is no different, with our members enjoying the active social aspect of being involved in our group (whether in the Cathedral or in one of Kilkenny’s other fine institutions).
• We sing on TV and Radio. The choir has appeared a number of times on RTÉ and takes part in very exciting projects all year around!
• Education: every week at rehearsals and in services we sight-sing through new music. This is excellent practice in sight-reading and the perfect way to improve your skills as a musician.
• It’s free! There are no costs associated with membership of the cathedral choir.

The weekly commitment for the choir is:

Friday: 1900 – 2030 rehearsal

Sunday morning: 1000 rehearsal for 1130 service of Holy Communion

Sunday afternoon: 1400 rehearsal for 1500 service of Choral Evensong

The choir also sings for various other occasions throughout the year (Carol Services, Midnight Mass, etc.)

Our Director of Music would love to hear from you if you’re interested in joining, please email: music@stcanicescathedral.com.

Adult Volunteers

The Cathedral Choir is a vibrant community made up of people passionate about music and singing of all ages and walks of life. We pride ourselves in our adult volunteer members and all of their hard work.

To join the choir simply contact us on music@stcanicescathedral.com to arrange an audition!

St Canice’s Cathedral Choir consists of approximately twenty singers drawn from Kilkenny City and beyond. The Choir provides music for liturgies in the stunning surroundings of St Canice’s Cathedral, allowing the singers to explore the choral repertoire in its great diversity. The Choir has appeared on television and radio broadcasts, gives concerts, and engages in community-based activities.

There has been a musical foundation of one sort or another at St Canice’s Cathedral since the twelfth century. The Vicars Choral played a vital role in the musical life of the Cathedral for most of its history and the ups and downs of much of the choir’s history is reflected in the various turmoil of the Cathedral itself. Musical life of the medieval cathedral close was a colourful one. A fine example can be found in the Red Book of Ossory (dating from about 1324) which contains sixty Latin verses, or Cantilenae, written by Richard de Ledrede, Bishop of Ossory. Of these Cantilenae, Ledred writes that they were composed "for the Vicars Choral of Kilkenny Cathedral, his priests and clerics, to be sung on great festivals and other occasions, that their throats and mouths, sanctified to God, might not be polluted with theatrical, indecent, and secular songs." Later in history, The vicars choral were mentioned in the 1615 Regal Visitation which noted that "in the College near the Church [of St. Canice] are eight Vicars Choral and four Choristers, who are bound to serve the Cathedral Church at Divine Services daily.” St Canice’s Cathedral Vicars Choral always maintained a strong connection to the Foundation of Kilkenny College and it is a tradition which the Cathedral and Choir foster to this day.

Many renowned organists, composers and musicologists have passed though the choir stalls of St Canice’s. Notably, George William Torrance who, reportedly, “After Robert Prescott Stewart, [Torrance] was arguably the most accomplished Irish church musician of his generation". He was a composer, organist, singer, clergyman, and a pioneer of ethno-musicology. Most recently, Malcolm Proud, acclaimed-international harpsichordist and organist, has been the Organist and Master of Choristers at St Canice’s Cathedral.

The Choir of St Canice’s Cathedral is the only of its kind in the surroundings of County Kilkenny. Choir has appeared on a number of RTÉ TV and Radio Productions, most recently Carols from the Castle (2019), and RTÉ Christmas Day broadcast (2020). The choir has a number of exciting upcoming projects and auditions for the choir are held throughout the year.

If you would like to join the choir please email music@stcanicescathedral.com.

Harry Meehan MA (Oxon.), MB, BCh, BAO, FRCO-Director of Music

Harry Meehan was born in Dublin. At the age of 16, Harry became one of the youngest ever organ scholars at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Harry accompanied the Cathedral choir regularly for their twelve weekly sung services, on the glorious Willis organ. Following a year in Truro Cathedral as Organ Scholar, Harry was awarded a scholarship to read music in the University of Oxford, where he was organ scholar in The Queen’s College. His duties in Oxford included conducting the famous Queen's Chapel Choir as well as accompanying them on the world-renowned Frobenius organ. In addition, he worked with the boys and men of the choir of St. Giles' Church, as their Senior Organ Scholar, and was organist to the Christ Church College Choir and Assistant Organist at Hertford College. At the age of 21, Harry was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

After graduating from Oxford, Harry moved to New Zealand where he worked for some years as Assistant Organist of Christchurch Cathedral. In New Zealand, he enjoyed a busy freelance career as an orchestral keyboard player, accompanist, and teacher before returning to Ireland in 2019.

Harry has played live on national TV and radio, and has been involved in numerous recordings. He has played in all major classical venues in Ireland and with major ensembles such as the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment the Oxford Bach Soloists. In his spare time Harry works as a medical doctor.

Harry is always happy to hear from people who are interested in joining the choir, regardless of previous experience. The best way to make contact is through email: music@stcanicescathedral.com

St Canice’s Cathedral has a rich tradition of choral music. Music list for this month can be found via the button below.
Music List

There are opportunities throughout the year for choirs to come and sing services at St Canice’s Cathedral

Visiting choirs are welcome on Sunday to sing at the Choral Eucharist at 11.30am and/or Choral Evensong at 3.00pm. Though we are unable to offer to pay fees or expenses we are able to offer a wonderful opportunity for a choir to sing in a beautiful building with a wonderful acoustic in beautiful Kilkenny.

We provide rehearsal time on the day in the Cathedral and the exact timing of this is arranged when a choir makes a booking with us. Choirs are also free to suggest their own choice of music in consultation with the Cathedral's Director of Music.

If you are interested in bringing a choir to the Cathedral please contact the Director of Music at music@stcanicescathedral.com.

We invite expressions of interest for our 2023/2024 choral and organ scholarships, valued at €1,250.

The scholarships run for one academic year (September 2023 until the end of June 2024). The scholars will sing with, conduct and play the organ for our cathedral choir under the guidance of the Cathedral Director of Music.

Who are the scholarships for?

• Anybody in 3rd level or 2nd level education or Transition Year and above)
• Those with an interest in choral singing and/or playing the pipe organ
• Those considering a career in music who are looking for experience and an impressive CV boost.

If you are interested in finding out more please contact the Director of Music at: music@stcanicescathedral.com.