The St. Cecilia Schola Cantorum is a liturgical choir founded in 2001 and attached to St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn, Alabama, with a particular emphasis on singing the propers of the Mass, and using chant and polyphony as an integral part of modern liturgy.

The mission of the schola is to serve the parish community in the process of rediscovering the music that is recommended by the Second Vatican Council and remains integral to the development and full experience of the Roman Rite.

We rehearse on Thursday evenings in the parish from 8:00-9:30pm. The full schola sings every two weeks for the 7:45am Sunday Mass. The schola is open to all parishioners who can read music and can make a commitment to the singing schedule. The singers, directors, and organizers serve as volunteers.

The Schola carefully prepares and sings the parts of the Mass and appointed texts assigned to be sung. These texts are sung with music that the Church recognizes as holding pride of place in the liturgy: Gregorian chant and its stylistic descendants in the polyphonic tradition. Schola-assisted liturgies are unaccompanied by instruments, while the organ is used as a solo instrument.

The broader mission of the St. Cecilia Schola is to assist other parish choirs in participating in the revival of this tradition. The schola does this through workshops, articles in the popular and scholarly press, and making materials available online that can be used by parish choirs in the implementation of sacred music.

It was our highest privilege to twice sing at the cathedrals of both Mobile and Birmingham. The schola is available to assist at weddings, funerals, and other special events. The schola is financed through member contributions. If you would like to support our work and mission–and we do need and appreciate the support–contact us: contact@ceciliaschola.org