Music

Music Department

• Roderick Bryce | Music Director
• Monica Rist | Organist
• David Moret | Organist

Roderick Bryce, Music Director

Hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland, Roderick relocated to Stettler, Alberta with his family in July 2013. In Scotland he was in great demand as a baritone, teacher, vocal coach and choral director. As a singer, he is broadcast often on BBC Radio 4 and regularly sang with Cappella Nova, recording music by James Macmillan on Linn Records. Also on Linn Records, he has recorded Bach’s Matthäus-Passion and sung across Scotland, Northern Ireland and France with the Dunedin Consort. He has appeared with Masaaki Suzuki’s Bach Collegium Japan at the Edinburgh International Festival. Roderick was director of the Scottish Chamber Choir; founder and director of Sospiro Baroque and former choirmaster of St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Edinburgh. In addition to a busy private teaching practice, he also taught singing for City of Edinburgh Council, Loretto School and Fettes College.
 

Monica Rist, Organist

Monica Rist is the organist of St. Joseph's Basilica, a position to which she was appointed in 1986. After gaining her B.Mus. at the University of British Columbia, she studied with Dr. Jacobus Kloppers and was awarded the Johann Strauss Foundation Scholarship, which enabled her to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna with Peter Planyavsky, organist of the famous Stephansdom in Vienna. She subsequently received an award from the Austrian government and completed a diploma in organ performance at the Hochschule. She returned to Edmonton for further study with Dr. Gerhard Krapf at the University of Alberta, graduating with a M.Mus. in 1988.
In addition to her church duties, Monica teaches, gives workshops and travels as an examiner and recitalist.
 

David Moret, Organist

David Moret is an associate organist of St. Joseph’s Basilica. David studied organ and church musicianship under the direction of Bruce Wheatcroft and Marie Ryan, thanks to a scholarship provided to him by the Catholic Women's League of St. Joseph's Cathedral. David has served in the music ministry at St. Andrew's, St. Joachim's, and Santa Maria Goretti Churches in Edmonton, and at St. Joseph's Church in Whitecourt. David currently also assist in the music ministry at St. Thomas More Church in Edmonton.
 

The Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir is a 30-voice adult choir. Membership of the Basilica’s adult voluntary choir is open to anyone over the age of 16, subject to audition.
The choir rehearses once a week, on Mondays from 7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.
Singers wishing to be considered for membership are required to audition for the Director of Music in which vocal, aural and sight-reading skills will be assessed. Please contact Roderick Bryce to arrange for an audition Roderick.Bryce@caedm.ca.

At our Sunday Masses, Funerals, and Weddings in the Basilica, we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of cantors who lead the singing. Anyone interested in becoming a cantor should contact Monica Rist at the parish office 780-488-7295, to arrange an audition. The requirements for Basilica cantors are a pleasant, trained voice, ability to read music well, ability to learn independently, ability to take direction, faithfulness, reliability, and punctuality.

The Schola Cantorum

Formed in 2013, the Schola Cantorum is a professional vocal ensemble of 8 singers who provide music for the 10.30 am Sunday Mass and other important feasts and solemnities in the Basilica and around the Archdiocese. Additionally, these 8 singers act as section leaders for the Cathedral Choir. The repertoire of the Schola Cantorum is drawn from the breadth of the Catholic tradition but focusing on Gregorian chant and polyphony. Any experienced singers wishing to be considered for our substitutes list should contact the Director of Music, at 780.488.7295 Ext. 232 or basilica.music@caedm.ca to schedule an audition and interview.

Our current Schola members are:

Carole Kube, Jessica Wagner, Wendy Grønnestad-Damur, Sarah Thomsen, Anthony Wynne, Josiah Maxfield, Ian Bannerman, and Tim To.

Cantors

Currently, the following are involved as Cantors of St Joseph's Basilica:
Ama Aidoo, Esa Aidoo, Jennifer Connelly, Reg Fee, Lise Grattan, Elizabeth Grigaitis, Olivia Jing Li, Terri Johanson, Nancy Kim, Catherine Kubash, Carole Kube, and Catherine Monai.

Visiting Choirs

Visiting Choirs are welcomed to sing during the holidays of the Cathedral Choir and Schola Cantorum, usually after Christmas, Easter and during the summer.
Normally one of the Cathedral organists will play at least for the congregational parts of the Mass to ensure continuity of Basilica practice, whilst experienced organists are welcome to accompany their own choir’s items and play voluntaries.
Directors of choirs wishing to take part should contact the Director of Music in the first instance.
Please contact us well in advance of any proposed dates basilica.music@caedm.ca