Five priests of the Diocese of Columbus who are also fine musicians will open the 2011-2012 Cathedral Concerts series. Msgr. Stephan Moloney of Immaculate Conception Church, Columbus, Fr. Kevin Lutz of Holy Family Church, Fr. Thomas Buffer of Saint Stephen the Martyr Church, and Fr. Ty Tomson of Saint Andrew Church will play a program to include works of J. S. Bach, Cesar Franck and others. The Cathedral's musicians will also perform a work composed by Fr. David Poliafico.

Organist and composer Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) was the apex of the North German Organ School and the most famous of J. S. Bach's teachers. The larger organ works, the Praeludia, unfold like multi-faceted dramas, exploring both intimate colors in contrast with grand sonorities. Buxtehude's organ chorales offer the listener unique and elegantly ornamented solo melodies. This great repertoire affords the widest possible opportunity to explore nearly every sound within the Cathedral's monumental Paul Fritts & Co. organ. We are pleased to welcome back Craig Cramer, Professor of Organ at the University of Notre Dame, to play six recitals that will encompass the whole of Buxtehude's works for organ.

Join the Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Brass Ensemble as they proclaim the words of the prophets and celebrate the birth of Christ with carols, motets and anthems from across the centuries. In addition to works by Palestrina and Tavener, the choir will perform Arvo Part's beautiful Magnificat.

The musicians of Saint Joseph Cathedral are honored to host the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians, the professional organization of directors of music from cathedrals across North America. Two evening conference events will be open to the public:

Cathedral Choir Tuesday, January 10, 7:30 p.m. The Saint Joseph Cathedral Choir will present a concert of works ranging from chant and Renaissance polyphony to works by members of the conference. The evening will conclude with a complete performance of Frank Martin's Messe for double choir. David Briggs, English Concert Organist Wednesday, January 11, 7:30 p.m. British concert organist David Briggs returns to the Cathedral for a spectacular program of Romantic organ works, transcriptions, and a large-scale improvisation on themes submitted by the audience.

The Cathedral Schola's annual performance of music for Tenebrae, including Thomas Tallis' Lamentations of Jeremiah, has become one of the Cathedral's most popular events. The evening is marked by the gradual extinction of candles, culminating in the performance of Gregorio Allegri's Miserere in a completely darkened Cathedral.