Sacred Music
Welcome to the Music Pages for the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Our program includes many dedicated musicians from throughout the Archdiocese of Saint Louis: members of our Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Schola, and Archdiocesan Adult Choir,
St. Louis Cathedral Concerts is a real treasure for classical and sacred music lovers in the St. Louis region. Visit Cathedral Concerts to get the details of the world-class artists who visit the Cathedral Basilica each season. Come to the Cathedral and “Experience Great Music in a Great Space.”
We are honored to be a part of the Choral Series with MorningStar Music. The Series contains some of the very best in Choral Music and Service Music for today’s church.
Archdiocesan Youth Choir
Do you have a child that loves music? Would you like to see your child in a setting that encourages them to grow in their love for Jesus and in their love for music? They can do both while singing in the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis! By filling out this survey you will be able to receive updates as communications are sent out for the restart of the Archdiocesan Youth Choir. Do not miss this opportunity to get your children involved in all of the most beautiful and enriching Archdiocesan events including: Ordinations, Chrism Mass, and Christmas at the Cathedral, and more! Follow the link provided to fill out the brief survey. Click here now and fill out the brief survey!
Join the Choirs of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis for 2025-26!
Are you a passionate singer looking for an opportunity to share your voice in a sacred and inspiring setting? The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is holding auditions for its renowned choirs!
✨ Audition Dates: July 8 & 9, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica is home to three distinguished choirs:
🎵 The Archdiocesan Choir – A vibrant ensemble welcoming singers from parishes across the Archdiocese.
🎵 The Cathedral Choir – Composed of dedicated members of the Cathedral parish.
🎵 The Schola Cantorum – The premier professional vocal ensemble of the Cathedral. Formal Schola Cantorum position description.
Whether you are a parishioner at the cathedral, the wider Archdiocese, or a professional vocalist, there is a place for you to contribute to the rich tradition of sacred music at the Cathedral.
Come and lift your voice in song to the glory of God! 🎶
For more information regarding audition requirements please follow this link to the audition requirements outline. To sign up for auditions please do so by clicking this link for the audition sign up form. You can contact the music office at [email protected] or 314-373-8228.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis Organ Scholar Position
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is seeking one highly gifted musician to fill the open organ scholar position.
Please see the position description below. This program is intended for high school students with aspirations for a career in organ and sacred music. Formal piano or organ instruction is required. Advanced pianists with no formal organ training are encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration. For more information, please contact Andrew Kreigh Director of Sacred Music Archdiocese and Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 314-373-8228. Please see full description found by clicking on this link.
Cathedral Choir and Schola Cantorum
Come, hear, and experience the transcendent beauty of God in one of our liturgies or concerts.
Generations of composers and musicians have contributed to the Church's treasury of Sacred Music. Because of their efforts, countless faithful have been transformed by the experience of the divine through the beauty of the music of the Sacred Liturgy. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is dedicated to cultivating a program whereby you can become part of that story and experience the transformative power of Sacred Music.
Singers and instrumentalists wishing to join the Cathedral Choir, the Cathedral Instrumentalists, or the Archdiocesan Choir should contact the Office of Sacred Music for more information and to schedule an audition/interview. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis music program is made up of two choral ensembles. The first is the Cathedral Choir which is made up of volunteer singers who by way of a successful audition become members. The second vocal ensemble at the cathedral is the Schola Cantorum. The schola is comprised of professional singers who have gained position in this ensemble by way of audition as well. Excellent sight-reading is required of these individuals. This ensemble specializes in polyphony, chant, and also sings with the Cathedral Choir for Sunday liturgies.
Artist in Residence - Mr. Scott Kennebeck
Scott is Executive Director/Artistic Director of St. Louis Cathedral Concerts at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. He is responsible for running all aspects of the organization including marketing, development, selecting artists, and programming educational events. He holds a Bachelor of Fine and Performing Arts degree from St. Louis University, in both Vocal Performance and Theatre and is an active performer in St. Louis.
Since 1993 he has served as the Tenor section leader for the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis Choir and Archdiocesan Choir of St. Louis. He also serves as cantor for the Cathedral Parish, as well as at major Archdiocesan events. He was a cantor/soloist for 100,000+ in attendance and a worldwide television broadcast audience for the Papal Mass in St. Louis, Missouri in 1999. He has toured as soloist throughout the United States, Italy, England, Germany, and Austria. His performances have included Verdi’s Requiem in Rome, Italy; Hector Berlioz’s Te Deum in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, and numerous performances of Handel’s Messiah as well as other oratorios including The Seven Last Words of Christ by Dubois. He has also performed with Union Avenue Opera and the St. Louis Muny. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine and Performing Arts/Music and Theatre from St. Louis University, and has studied voice with Christine Armistead at Washington University.
In 2017 Scott was one of the winners of the St. Louis Blues NHL franchise “Search for a National Anthem Singer” competition. Since then he has sung both the Canadian and US National Anthems for over 20 NHL games at Enterprise Center to wide-spread acclaim.
Scott has multiple recordings with his collaborator John Powel Walsh including Pie Jesu, Midnight Clear, Angels Bending Near the Earth, Words to Music (Songs of Eugene Field), and Emerald Tribute, honoring the great Irish singer, John McCormack.
Artist in Residence - Ms. Lea Zelaya
Born to a musically inclined Air Force family, Lea spent her childhood overseas and in Kansas, her family actively injecting themselves into every Catholic parish. As a result, Lea began cantoring at Mass at a young age, inspiring her passion for music and furthering her education in it. She relocated to St. Louis where she graduated with departmental honors from Webster University, earning a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. While attending Webster, and after, Lea was an active cantor at Holy Redeemer Parish in Webster Groves. The parish’s mahogany baby grand piano, which turns 100 years old in 2024, was gifted to her and now rests proudly in her living room.
Since 2016, Lea has held principal roles with the American Kantorei, a professional ensemble specializing
in the works of J.S. Bach. Prior to joining the Basilica, she was the Soprano Section Leader and Soloist at
Christ Church Cathedral, the heart of the Episcopal diocese in downtown St. Louis. Lea also held her
senior recital in their sanctuary, conveying the musical expression of faith throughout history. In an
effort to bring worship to parishioners during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lea and her husband hosted the
music for Christ Church Cathedral’s services virtually from their home.
An in-demand soprano throughout the Midwest, Lea has performed as a soloist in numerous Cantatas
and Masses, Händel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and St Paul, Fauré’s Requiem, and other sacred
works by Olivier Messiaen, Benjamin Britten, and Camille Saint-Saëns. Operatic roles include Euridice in
Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Rosina in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, and Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
She has also performed in backup ensembles for Josh Groban and the Eagles.
“Not everyone discovers their calling in life, but I am blessed to have found mine through the incredible,
selfless gift of music.” – Lea Zelaya
