The Church of Notre Dame is fortunate to have two choirs, one English and one Francophone. Both choirs offer the community a diverse repertoire, each in a different style, reflecting the diversity of Christian sacred music. The church welcomes its parishioners, men and women, who enjoy singing, to join one of the two choirs.
The Schola Cantorum of the Church of Notre Dame is a growing choir led by Kalle Toivio, the Organist and Director of Music of the Church of Notre Dame. Its repertoire focuses on Gregorian chant and Medieval and Renaissance polyphonic pieces, as well as pieces from contemporary composers.
The Choir seeks to fulfill the mandate of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), which noted in Sacrosanctum concilium:
"The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art... The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations..." (No 112, 116)
They sing every Sunday at the church’s principal English Mass at 11:30 AM as well as at the Christmas Midnight Mass, Good Friday and Easter Vigil, and on some Feasts and Solemnities.
Rehearsals are on Saturdays at 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM and on Sundays at 10:00-11:00 AM
We invite you to join us!
Admittance is by audition. Please contact our music director Kalle Toivio at 718-710-5348 or [email protected] (with "ND Choir" in the subject line).
The Sainte Marie Reine choir (Holy Queen Mary), was founded in 1998 at the Church St Vincent de Paul, Manhattan. The choir is led by Sylvestre Kouadio, assisted by a president, secretary, treasurer and an organizer. It is sponsored by Françoise Cestac, member of the Parish council.
Transferred to the Church of Notre Dame with the French-speaking community, the choir’s primary role is to sing at the 10am French speaking Sunday Mass. It parti
cipates in the Christmas and Easter trilingual masses. Its activities also extend to singing in other parishes, at vigils and to the organization of concerts.
Its diverse repertoire includes Latin and French classical as well as modern pieces. It also includes songs in different African languages, offering rhythms and melodies drawn from the rich cultural heritage of the African continent.
The choir counts about thirty active members coming from several French-speaking countries including but not limited to: Benin, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Senegal and Togo.
Rehearsals are on Sundays between 12 and 1:30pm at Notre Dame’s Rectory. Dedicated rehearsal are scheduled before special Masses such as the Christmas and Easter masses or events such as concerts and vigils.
Admittance is open to all men and women. We invite you to join us! Please contact our music director Sylvestre Kouadio. (
[email protected])