About St. Francis Choir
The Choir of St. Francis of Assisi, Paddington, is an active liturgical choir of men and women (SATB), with full membership of 40 voices. The Choir sings at the 9.30 Sung Mass on Sundays as well as major feasts and parish events e.g. weddings & funerals.

The choir's ministry is to assist our parish's worship by leading the congregation in the singing of responses, acclamations and hymns of the liturgy, enhancing congregational music by way of harmonising, providing descants and singing choral music from the treasury of sacred music.

At St. Francis, we aim to make our liturgy the most beautiful expression of what we can offer in music and ceremony engaging our community to lift their hearts and minds to God.

Repertoire
The choral repertoire includes music from Gregorian Chant (including congregational Gregorian Masses e.g. de Angelis, Orbis factor and Cum jubilo), polyphonic Mass parts and Motets by composers of the 16th and 17th Centuries (e.g. Palestrina, Victoria, Tallis, Byrd), and later composers such as Bruckner, Mendelssohn, Duruflé, and Fauré through to contemporary composers.

From time to time, the choir presents an orchestral Mass for such feasts as Easter Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King, Christmas Day. The following orchestral masses have been performed at St. Francis:

  • 1998 - Coronation Mass - W. A. Mozart
  • 1999 - Missa Sancti Nicolai - F. J. Haydn
  • 2000 - Mass in G - F. Schubert
  • 2001 - Missa in Angustii ("Nelson Mass") - F. J. Haydn
  • 2002 - Jugendmesse - F. J. Haydn (+ Faure "Requiem" on All Souls' Day)
  • 2003 - Missa Brevis in D, K.193 - W. A. Mozart (Easter Day)

  • Australian works are represented in compositions by Christopher Willcock SJ, Gavin Tipping, Albert Lynch and hymnody of James McAuley/Richard Connolly to name a few.
  • Special Engagements

    The choir is also available to sing for weddings and other special engagements. Click for details

    New Members/Auditions

    We are always interested to hear from singers with suitable musical skills. Ideally, prospective members should have a good ear and basic music reading skills. Anyone interested to audition should contact the Director of Music or Choir Secretary.

    Repertoire 2003
  • View our music list