Music
Christ Church Cathedral has enjoyed a long tradition of music of the highest caliber in its liturgies and worship celebrations. There is a great deal of variety in the musical offerings at the Cathedral, where the choirs sing music that spans centuries, from Renaissance and Tudor motets and Bach cantatas to traditional Anglican choral pieces and new compositions by living composers. An expansive repertoire of organ music is heard on the 2003 Lively-Fulcher instrument both in worship and in concert .
Music is a vital part of the Cathedral’s liturgies, offered to the glory of God and for the nurture of his people. The Cathedral provides opportunities to those of all ages interested in creating glorious music to that praises of God.
CHORAL MUSIC
There are four choral ensembles at Christ Church Cathedral. If you are musically inclined, please consider joining one of the ensembles active in the life of this Cathedral.
THE CATHEDRAL CHOIR
The Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Michael Velting, Canon for Music, is the 28-voice, highly trained choir that sings at the 11 a.m. (summer 10:30 a.m.) Eucharist. The choir also sings Choral Evensong several times a year and the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. Their critically acclaimed recording Christ Hath a Garden was released in 2007.
Cathedral Choir rehearsals run from from September to May and are on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Rehearsals during summer months are on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.
The Cathedral Choir welcomes new singers at any time of the year by audition. If you read music, sightread well, have experience singing in a choir, and would like to know more about joining the Cathedral Choir, please contact Michael Velting with any inquiries or to set up an appointment. We look forward to welcoming you into the Cathedral Choir!
Cathedral Musicians
Canon Dr. Michael Velting
Canon for Music
Michael Velting is Canon for Music at Christ Church Cathedral, where he has been organist and choirmaster since 1994. Canon Velting serves as principal organist, director of Cathedral choirs, and and administrator of the music program at the Cathedral. Prior to assuming this position, he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster of Washington National Cathedral and Adjunct Professor of Organ at the American University in Washington, D.C.
He holds both a master’s degree and doctorate in Organ Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, in the class of David Craighead. From 1982 to 1986, he lived in Paris, France, where he studied organ with Daniel Roth and won the Prix de Virtuosité in the class of Marie-Claire Alain at the Conservatoire National de Région, in Rueil-Malmaison. While there, he also served as organist of the American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity from 1984 to 1986.
Dr. Velting has performed in Germany, England, Canada, Switzerland, and France, as well as throughout the United States. He was instrumental in the design of the Lively-Fulcher organ for Christ Church Cathedral. He is a member of both the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Anglican Musicians. He has served as Councillor for Conventions on the National Council of the American Guild of Organists since 2014, and is now entering his third two-year term. He is a former dean of the Nashville chapter of the AGO and has twice served as a judge for AGO organ competitions. He was chair of the Committee on Performances for the 2012 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, held in Nashville, and is a past recipient of an Outstanding Teacher award by the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.
Dr. Peter Rogahn
Associate Organist and Choirmaster
Peter Rogahn’s previous positions include Organist and Assistant Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Nashville and Precentor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. A passionate advocate for music education, he spent four years at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis as a Choral Accompanist and Instructional Assistant, supporting classes in music theory, piano, and electronic music. He has also collaborated with numerous choral ensembles, including the choirs of Stewarts Creek High School, the University of Indianapolis Women’s Chorus, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and the choirs of Center Grove High School in Indianapolis.
Actively involved in Nashville's vibrant musical community, Peter serves on the faculty at Belmont University where he teaches organ. He has also held several officer positions in the Nashville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, including Dean-Elect and Program Chair, and currently serves as Dean.
He holds a Doctor of Music degree in Organ Performance and Literature with minors in Music Theory and Choral Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He is a recipient of the Indiana University Artistic Excellence Award and the Indiana University Graduate Tuition Award. He also earned a Performer Diploma and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University, as well as a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. His principal teachers include Christopher Young, Peter Nygaard, and Harold Rutz.
Outside of his musical life, he enjoys reading science fiction and history, walking in nature, and spending time with his two cats, Felix and Fanny. He and his wife, pianist Tiantian Liang, are excited to continue their musical journey as part of the Cathedral community.
the cathedral choristers
The Cathedral Choristers, directed by Michael Velting, is the children’s choir training program of the Cathedral, which comprises Junior Choristers (2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades) and Senior Choristers (5th grade through high school.)
They sing primarily the 8:45 a.m. Eucharist (September through May.) Using a training curriculum adapted from the Royal School of Church Music model, these young people receive weekly vocal training, learn to read music, and discover the joy of being leaders in worship. They also have special events: pool parties, pizza parties, a retreat in September, etc. Boys remain part of the Chorister Program until their voices break and change. Girls are welcome to stay on into high school. Any child in grades two and above is welcome to become a Cathedral Chorister, and we welcome them at any time of the year.
The Senior Choristers serve as hosts for the annual Cathedral Chorister Festival, in which Choristers from a wide swath of the Southeast, as well as other special guests and a nationally renowned guest director, come to the Cathedral each spring for a two-day festival, which culminates in the singing of the 11 a.m. Eucharist and 4 p.m. Choral Evensong on the Sunday of the Festival.
Rehearsal for the Junior Choristers (grades 2nd, 3rd, and 4th) is on Monday afternoon, from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Senior Choristers (grades 5 and up) rehearse on Wednesday afternoon, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., led by Dr. Velting. Please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Velting with any questions you might have or for further information.
Register here to participate in the Chorister program.