The Choirs of St Peter’s Cathedral

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir has been singing services in the Cathedral for over 130 years. It is a ‘working’ choir – its primary function being to sing the praises of God at services in the Cathedral’s choral services, and leading the congregation in singing.

Unique in Adelaide, the treble line consists of over 25 boys and girls drawn from local schools. Many of the Lay Clerks (men and women) have been trebles in earlier days. A wide range of repertoire is sung, spanning some five hundred years of music—making, across the Anglican choral tradition and beyond.

A high standard of sight-singing is taught and all choristers enjoy a well-rounded musical education in the context of the sacred space of St Peter’s Cathedral. The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) “Voice for Life” teaching programme is used. New probationer choristers are recruited from both an annual “Winter School” in July, and from a concurrent small training choir called the Junior Song School.

Over the years a number of CDs have been made (see the Cathedral Shop). The choir has sung in televised services, has performed with The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Baroque, amongst other professional ensembles; gives it’s own concerts; and the Cathedral congregation looks forward each year to special music at services such as Good Friday, Advent Carols, and Nine Lessons & Carols at Christmas. The Choir has toured five times to the UK, most recently at Christmas & New Years in 2023/2024, singing in St Paul’s Cathedral, London; York Minster; Salisbury Cathedral; New College, Oxford, and many other Cathedrals.

St Peter’s Cathedral Consort

The St Peter’s Cathedral Consort was formed in the early days after the pandemic lockdowns of 2020, out of a desire to resume singing. Made up of some of Adelaide’s finest professional singers, the Cathedral Consort has established a firm reputation in Adelaide, through their performances of Handel’s Messiah and Dixit Dominus at Christmas, and other concerts. The Consort also sings occasional services at the Cathedral, affording an opportunity to explore additional repertoire.

Choir History

For more on the history of the Cathedral Choir, please read here.