Choruses Play a Prominent Role During Pope Francis' US Visit

Our roundup page will be updated throughout the Pope’s US visit as we collect additional features on choral music. Please feel free to email stories to [email protected], and if you are a Chorus America member, post coverage of you or your chorus in our Member News section.

Singing for the Pope Series

Around the Web

Washington DC

Making Music Fit for A Pope
A tenor in the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine recounts what it was like to sing for Pope Francis as he entered the Basilica for Mass.

Ninety-member elite choir tunes up for the pope’s Washington visit
The Washington Post goes behind the scenes with several singers and directors of DC's massed choir during their early rehearsal preparation.

Music to play starring role in pope's visit to Washington
WBAL TV catches up with choir director Tom Stehle and a couple singers in DC's massed choir to discuss their anticipation for their big performance.

Crafting Music Fit For A Pope At Basilica Of The National Shrine
This feature airing on local NPR affiliate WAMU gets the scoop on what it's like for the Basilica of the National Shrine’s musicians to prepare the music for the Papal Mass.

Choir Sings for Pope Francis and President Obama
NBC 4 New York captured the St. Augustine Catholic Church's performance of Richard Smallwood's Total Praise at their White House performance with Pope Francis and President Obama.

New York

The song that moved Pope Francis: "Let There Be Peace on Earth"
The Young People's Chorus of New York City perform the beloved song for Pope Francis during an interreligious ceremony at the Ground Zero Memorial in New York.

Impressive Choir sings during Papal Mass in Madison Square Garden
Rome Reports’ video captures the beauty of the choir from the Archdiocese of New York and the pure scale of the Madison Square Garden service.

Young People's Chorus in Tune with Pope's Visit
Chorus America members the Young People's Chorus of New York City were featured by NY 1 in advance of their performance for the Pope at the 9/11 Memorial.

Choir Prepares To Welcome Pope Francis At Madison Square Garden
CBS New York speaks with choral director Jennifer Pascual and several choristers from New York's massed choir that will sing at Mass in Madison Square Garden on how they are approaching the performance.

Philadelphia

Teen Wows Crowd with A Cappella Performance
Fox and Friends interviews 14-year-old Keystone State Boy Choir member Bobby Hill and associate director Steven Fisher after Hill's magnificent rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu" left the crowds breathless.

Four New Jersey singers secure coveted choir spots behind Pope Francis
PIX11 TV took an in-depth look at the competitive audition process to sing in Philadelphia's massed choir, dubbing it"Papal Idol."

Youth choir kids amped to sing for Pope Francis in Philadelphia
Philly Voice speaks with young singers from the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and Keystone State Boychoir about their anticipation in advance of performing for Pope Francis.

Philadelphia Papal Choir Rehearses for Pope Performance
ABC 6 interviews music director David Kimock and members of the massed choir in Philadelphia as they begin rehearsals for Mass.

Local Choral Society Members To Sing at Event Celebrating Papal Visit
Eleven members of member chorus the Bucks County Choral Society are joining a 50-voice chorus singing in the World Meeting of Families’ “Festival of Families” concert. The Bucks County Herald covers the story (see top right of page when you click the link).