Under the baton of founder-director Peter Low, the 70-strong choir was formerly resident at the Church of the Risen Christ from 1970 after its humble beginnings as the Youth Choir in the Church of St Michael’s in 1965. Initially, they functioned as 2 separate choirs, the Risen Christ Junior choir and Risen Christ Senior choir respectively. Both choirs served at different masses but came together for concerts, and major liturgical feasts and celebrations. 1985, the choirs merged to form the Church of the Risen Christ Choir. Upon invitation by then Archbishop of Singapore, Most Reverend Nicholas Chia, the choir established their home in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on 14th of April 2002 and were invested with their new name, The Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ. Together with key members of the Cathedral, they assumed a temporary home from 2013-2016, singing at the “Cathedral Mass” at St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) during the 3 year long restoration of the Cathedral. After the re-opening of the Cathedral, they resumed singing at the 10.30am principal high mass on Sundays as well as on major feast days.
The choir’s long year history has been colourful, having travelled to no less than 17 countries and being officially titled as the Little Ambassadors of Singapore in the 70s during their concert tours of America, Australia and Europe as they worked with the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines. In 1990, they were also selected through and nationwide audition as the sole choir at the Official 25th Anniversary Launch Concert of Singapore’s independence which was directed by the team which led the Los Angeles Olympic Ceremony in 1988, performed in front of Guest of Honour, then Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The choir also lent their voices for the original recordings of the first 4 national day songs – Stand up for Singapore, Count on me Singapore, We are Singapore and One People, One Nation, One Singapore.
They have been called to sing at our major public events such as the Official Launch of the MRT by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the Official Opening of the Changi War Memorial Prison, the 400th Anniversary of the City of Westminster Celebrations in London (1985), the International Concert for Peace in Jerusalem (1995) amongst others.
This choir has also been fortunate to have had 2 audienzas with St John Paul II in the Vatican in 1985 and 1996 as well as 1 with Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. We are blessed to have our Choir standards blessed by our Pontiffs and also have have personal blessings by His Holiness. It has also sung for Masses on two separate occasions at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican as well as Duomo in Milan, the Pantheon and many other shrines such as Lourdes, Notre dame etc.
During the recent years of the COVID pandemic, the choir continued to be active and hosted a few online productions over Easter and Christmas as well as continue to have retreats, prayer sessions and sing for masses as permitted by directives.
Music is how we evangelise and worship, promoting the rich tradition of our faith, sharing the Love of Christ and the Word of God. Our members and conductor give their services to the church pro bono. As the choir continues to dedicate itself to service to the church and country
If you are blessed with the gift of song and music, we welcome choristers, musicians and organists to join us.