Northern California Catholic Youth Choral Festival held at St. Mary’s Cathedral

By Mary Powers

A chorus of young voices filled the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco on Saturday, April 6, as eight Catholic school choirs and more than 150 young singers gathered for the American Federation of Pueri Cantores’ annual Northern California Catholic Youth Choral Festival & Mass. This event, a part of the American Federation Pueri Cantores’ national and international network of youth choral festivals, drew singers from throughout the region to rehearse and perform sacred music as one unified choir.

The student choirs spent the day at the Cathedral’s Event Center learning more about the sacred music they were to sing at the Cathedral’s Vigil Mass and practicing together as one choir.

The festival culminated in a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone. The choirs, conducted by Dr. Bryan Zaros, performed pieces before Mass to help prepare parishioners to enter into the sacred liturgy and led the music at the Vigil Mass.

In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone encouraged the participants and their supporters at the Mass. 

“Sacred music is indeed a most powerful and effective way to evangelize and catechize, especially children and young people, so that they may be sensitized to the beauty of God and yearn for the fullness of His truth,” said the Archbishop. “As we benefit at our Mass tonight with the beauty in our worship they provide us through their talent and hard work, let it be for all of us a means to turn our hearts ever more perfectly over to God, that we might learn the lessons of the Gospel and know, and live in, the true freedom of the children of God.”

For many students, this was their first time participating in the festival. Gustavo Lechuga, Choir and Liturgy Coordinator at St. Dominic Catholic School in Benicia, shared how meaningful the day was for his students.

“We are truly delighted to have participated in this year’s American Pueri Cantores Festival,” said Lechuga. “It was our first time, but I believe it’s well worth the effort to continue preparing our students for this event each year, as it nurtures not only their musical skills but also their faith. Our children were deeply moved by the majesty of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and the solemnity of the music offered to God.”

That blend of spiritual formation and artistic collaboration is precisely what draws choirs back year after year. Steven Meyer, Artistic Director of the Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers, emphasized the value of these events for his students.

“The local festivals—as well as the international festivals—provide an opportunity for our singing boys to work with outstanding clinicians and to see and hear other groups,” Meyer said. “It is encouraging and motivating to learn and perform with other groups and to know we are not ‘alone’ in singing a new song to the Lord.”

Among the voices was 14-year-old Alliana Lili Y., a student at St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir School in San Francisco based at Stella Maris Academy, participating in her second festival. She reflected on the community and purpose she finds in the event.

“Meeting other students from the Northern California Region who share in the passion for music and common faith is one of my favorite things about the festival,” she said. “Singing and training together fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Music is very powerful; it offers a unique way of expressing faith, creating a space for spiritual connection, and reminding us of God’s love and presence. Collaborating with the other choirs and leading the congregation in song and prayer helps me feel more connected to others and to God.”

Behind the scenes, a network of dedicated educators and organizers make the festival possible. One music teacher, who brought students from multiple schools, reflected on the transformative journey from the first rehearsals to the final performance.

“Preparing our students before the festival is such a joy—to see them tackle difficult repertoire that they don’t think they can learn when we begin. They slowly grow in familiarity and then there is that switch when you see their joy in singing a piece of music they’ve come to really enjoy—it’s priceless!” she said. “Then, when we come to the cathedral on the festival day and they look around in awe—it creates precious memories they’ll remember with fondness.”

She also offered heartfelt thanks to Kathleen Prina, Program Director of the American Federation Pueri Cantores.

“I have so much gratitude for Kathleen Prina, who answers all the questions, handles mountains of paperwork, provides all the resources, and is so patient and generous with all the challenges we present,” she said. “I am so glad we took the leap last year and attended, paving the way for our students to grow and sing and set loftier goals for themselves, all within a beautiful, faith-filled festival.”

For these children and their directors, the journey has just begun as they bring back memories of this year’s festival to infuse into their next projects.

Photos: Francisco Valdez