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The London Oratory Schola Cantorum Boys Choir will tour Utah and California July 18-28, performing music from the English and Spanish renaissance. The choir will sing at St. Mary's Cathedral and Mission Dolores July 28. (Photo courtesy of De Montfort Music/AimHigher Recordings)
June 17, 2019
A British boys’ choir, the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School in London, England will sing at a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone at St. Mary’s Cathedral July 28 at 11 a.m. Later that day, the choir will also perform a concert at Mission Dolores, 3321 16th St. in San Francisco at 5 p.m.
The choir in June released their second album, Sacred Treasures of Spain. Charles Cole, the Schola’s director, said, "We are delighted to release this new recording of beautiful Spanish motets. Sixteenth century Spain truly was a golden era during which a number of outstanding composers crafted their most beautiful work, adding to the treasury of great renaissance polyphony."
Following the album release, the Schola will tour Utah and California July 18-28, singing music from the English and Spanish Renaissance in concerts and at Masses. Three of their tour dates will be held at California missions.
Cole noted that their performances in concerts and during liturgies both aim to lead people to prayer. According to the director, “Although during a Mass the primary purpose of our singing is as a liturgical offering to God, during a concert we are still trying to lead people into a depth of prayer, not so much spoken but expressed through a sense of profound awe and wonder.”
“There’s no question that this music touches people in a very unique way, at a spiritual level, whether within a liturgical context or otherwise,” Cole said.
Founded in 1996, the choir gives Catholic boys the opportunity of a choral education within the state education system. In addition to its liturgical role, the Schola has recorded for numerous film soundtracks, including the “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter.”
For tickets to the Mission Dolores concert, visit cityboxoffice.com/LondonOratory. Tickets are $25 general admission, $15 student/senior. Their new album, Sacred Treasures of Spain, can be also be found on iTunes here: http://smarturl.it/LondonOratorySpain …