Our Vision: Schola Cantorum celebrates the joy of singing!
Our Mission: To connect people with the joy of singing through moving performances, educational and community programs, and collaborations with local artists.
Schola Cantorum is a unique choral arts organization with multiple community programs. Its auditioned 75-voice chorus, under the baton of Buddy James, presents dynamic performances of choral masterpieces, new works by major composers and music from a wide variety of cultural traditions during the regular concert season. Each summer, Schola Cantorum turns the audience into a choir with its series of audience-participation Summer Sings. In December, singers of all ages join together for Schola’s annual Messiah Sing. Schola Cantorum’s Outreach Program takes small groups of Schola singers into schools, senior centers, parks and public places with enriching educational programs and participative sing-alongs.
Historical Highlights Founded in 1964 by the late Royal Stanton, the chorus has commissioned and performed numerous premieres, including works by Alva Henderson, Dirk Damonte, Joseph Jennings, Libby Larsen, Kirke Mechem and Theodore Toews. Collaborations with more than 30 musical organizations have included the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Wesla Whitfield and Michael Greensill, Chanticleer, The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Coro Hispano de San Francisco, Rejoice Gospel Ensemble, The Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra, The Whole Noyse, Menlo Brass Quintet, the San Francisco Symphony, Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra and Redwood Symphony — a testament to the group’s versatility and professionalism.
Schola Cantorum in collaboration with the Stanford University Office for Religious Life has organized musical tributes involving choral singers from across the Bay Area who together performed the Mozart Requiem under Gregory Wait’s direction to standing room only audiences on the one year and ten year anniversaries of the 9/11 tragedy. Schola Cantorum is proud to offer many great ways to provide thousands of community members each year the opportunity to actively participate in the joy of singing.