St. Michael's Choir School Information

Since 1937, St. Michael’s Choir School has served the Archdiocese of Toronto by educating and training the boys’ choirs that sing every weekend at St. Michael’s Cathedral. Founded by Monsignor J.E. Ronan, the school is unique in offering an enriched academic program, including extended French instruction, integrated with a lively ministry of sacred music. Designed to foster a lifelong interest in music, St. Michael’s is one of only a handful of choir schools in the world affiliated with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, where Monsignor Ronan studied from 1932-1936. The Choir School boasts an active and celebrated alumni community, with groups returning regularly to the School and the Cathedral for annual events, such as the Holy Week Tenebrae service and a special St. Patrick’s Day Mass. Choirs from St. Michael’s Choir School perform publicly in an annual tour and at many local events. Dignitaries such as His Holiness Pope John Paul II, His Holiness Pope Francis I, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and former Canadian Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien have enjoyed the choir’s performances. Many visitors to St. Michael’s Cathedral make a point of attending one of the three weekend Masses sung by SMCS Choirs. From September to June, the two Senior Choirs sing on Saturdays at the 5 p.m. Mass and Sundays at the 12 p.m. noon Mass, and the Junior Choir sings at the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass. The Elementary Choir (Grades 3 and 4) has a tradition of singing in the cathedral on Christmas morning as well as a handful of other Masses throughout the year as they prepare to take on full Chorister duties at the beginning Grade 5. St. Michael’s Choir School has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Toronto Catholic District School Board since 1967. Our Board Trustee is Norm Di Pasquale and our superintendent is Kimberley Dixon.