MUSIC AT SAINT BARBARA PARISH

 Mission Santa Barbara has the oldest unbroken tradition of choral singing among the California Missions and, indeed, of any California institution. The Mission archives contain one of the richest collections of colonial Franciscan music manuscripts known today, which remain closely guarded (most have not yet been subjected to scholarly analysis).

Saint Barbara Parish at Mission Santa Barbara carries on this musical tradition with two choirs singing at Mass each week:

St. Barbara Parish Choir sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist in the Mission Church (September through June), for certain Feasts and Holy Days, and for liturgical celebrations throughout the church year. Membership is by audition. The choir has performed in Europe on two concert tours – Italy in 2010 and Ireland in 2017 and has recorded several CDs.

Mission Schola is a professional vocal ensemble which sings each week at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist, and for parish weddings, funerals and other events. Membership is by audition as positions become available.

Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 and Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. from September through June. Please only consider requesting an audition if you are willing and able to make the ten-month commitment each year.

Auditions for St. Barbara Parish Choir take place from June through August, and all auditions for professional and volunteer singers are by individual appointment only.

Click below for Chorister Audition Requirements.

Singers must have sight-reading skills, be able to read music at a proficient level, and sing on pitch. Previous choral experience is preferred. For more information, please contact Lance Crane, Music Coordinator, at lcrane@saintbarbaraparish.org or call (805)682-4151, ext. 103.