Schola Cantorum

Weekly Performing Ensemble

ORGAN, SACRED MUSIC, AND HISTORICAL KEYBOARDS
Eastman School of Music

SMU 210-1 – Schola Cantorum (Undergraduate)
SMU 410-1 – Schola Cantorum (Graduate)

This acclaimed ensemble of voices and historic instruments specializes in the performance of plainsong, motets of the Renaissance and Romantic eras, as well as contemporary music and improvisation. The group has been featured in various national radio broadcasts, appeared in international festivals and concerts, and collaborated with ensembles such as the Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble and Ensemble Weser-Renaissance Bremen. The Schola has recorded for the Arsis and Loft labels.

The Schola is an ensemble of Christ Church Rochester as well as a performance class of the Eastman School of Music. This acclaimed ensemble performs Compline every Sunday from October through April at 9:00 p.m. Sunday rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. with Compline at 9:00 p.m.

Professor Stephen Kennedy, founder and director

Thatcher Lyman, assistant director

Jon Madden, assistant director

Charles Francis, organist

Auditions

Please contact Professor Stephen Kennedy to set up an audition.

Organ Preludes

Organ Preludes are played by Eastman faculty and students preceding Compline on all but the first Sunday of the month when there is a Candlelight Concert.

Candlelight Concerts

Candlelight Concerts precede Compline on the first Sunday of the month. A reception follows Compline on these first Sundays. Click here for more information.

Schola Reviews

“The Christ Church Schola Cantorum… sings beautifully.” Fanfare Magazine, Jan/Feb 2010, Colin Clarke.

“The recording is beautiful, and I am glad to have been introduced to the Schola Cantorum and the work of Stephen Kennedy. The CD has been a joy to listen to…..terrific sound, wonderfully balanced with perfect pacing!” May 7, 2008, Steve Staruch, Host/Cultural Programming, Minnesota Public Radio

“It’s a triumph!… clearly a total success… the blending of voices results in a superb sonority. “Verleih uns Frieden” – Utterly serene and the perfect conclusion.” Wm. A. Little

“I was also invited to attend Compline last night which was probably one of the most moving experiences in my life. I’ve attended a few Compline services, but none were as rewarding as yours…. They (the Schola) were exquisite!” April 14, 2008, Dr. Craig Scott Symons, Director of Music/Organist, First United Methodist Church, Royal Oak, MI

Historic Instrument Collection

Historic instruments have been made possible through a generous gift from Randi Ravitts Woodworth and Mark Woodworth in honor of their daughter Madeleine Woodworth.

Sackbuts by Egger of Switzerland

1 Renaissance alto sackbut in Eb after Hieronimus Starck, Nuremberg 1670
2 Renaissance tenor sackbut in Bb after Sebastian Hainlein, Nuremberg 1632
1 Renaissance bass sackbut in F after Isaac Ehe, Nuremberg 1612
1 Renaissance bass sackbut in Eb after Isaac Ehe, Nuremberg 1612

Cornetti by Ricardo Simian

2 3D printed cornetti from historic models