The choir enhances the liturgical celebrations by leading the music ministry at Sunday Masses through hymns and songs that will ensure the “full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgical celebration” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14). The whole church community benefits from participating in the Eucharist through prayerful music.
In a survey conducted by Los Angeles Mission magazine from September through December 2000, St. Cyril of Jerusalem was voted the "Best Parish" for music in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The article announcing the results noted: "St. Cyril's Choir features a 40-plus-voice choir directed by well-known organist and choral conductor, William 'Bill' Beck. Our Sunday noon Mass is as solemn as the Novus Ordo can be. We sing only the very best music, which includes music from the Renaissance, baroque, classical and modern eras. The male schola sings the Gregorian introit and communion each Sunday. We have several major choral events with full orchestra and enhanced choral forces throughout the year."
In 1988, noted choral director, Roger Wagner, conducted the combined forces of the Roger Wagner Chorale, St. Cyril's Choir and St. Philip's Choir along with a full orchestra in a performance of Requiem by Maurice Duruflé at St. Cyril's. In 1990, St. Cyril's drew praise when it performed Beethoven's Mass in C with a 40-piece orchestra, a 50-member choir and four soloists, all conducted by William Beck. Performances of St. Cyril's Choir and Orchestra, under the direction of William Beck (including Handel's Messiah and Mendelssohn's Elijah), were regularly noted by the Los Angeles Times. Mark Chatfield, who sang for 19 years at St. Cyril's, and was the parish's composer in residence, was also a swimmer who set an Olympic record in the breaststroke in the 1972 Olympics.
We invite you to consider joining this diverse and gifted group. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30 pm in the Church and participates in the 12 noon Mass on Sundays and at other special occasions.
For more information or to join our choir, please contact William Beck, Director of Music at [email protected] or phone 310.475.2693
William Beck (Director of Music)
310-475-2693
[email protected]