With 32 federations comprising 70,000 young singers worldwide, Pueri Cantores is the international student choral organization of the Roman Catholic Church, whose mission is to evangelize and catechize choristers through the medium of sacred music, aiding them in growing in their faith and rooting them ever deeper to the Church. Here in the U.S. the American Federation organizes choral festivals at the local and national levels held in the regional Cathedral, Basilica, or other church of architectural significance. Our Treble voice festivals (for grades 4-8), and Mixed Voice festivals (for grades 4-12) are in the context of a Eucharistic liturgy, and feature a broad repertoire of Gregorian chant, classical and modern polyphonic music, and contemporary compositions. Our High School Festivals (for grades 9-12) explore a different “mini-Masterwork” each year, with rehearsals culminating in a late afternoon/evening concert accompanied by chamber orchestra. In all cases, the repertoire learned for the annual festival can be sung in parish and school liturgies and concerts. A roster of esteemed guest conductors provides an engaging festival experience for participating choirs and their families.
As a corporate partner of the National Catholic Educational Association, AFPC provides professional opportunities for music teachers and no cost music education resources for the 6400 Catholic schools in our nation. In addition, each year with NCEA we sponsor three webinars to assist in the training of parochial school music teachers in the areas of children’s choral and vocal pedagogy.
Opportunities to travel are part of Pueri Cantores. Every five years an international congress is organized in Rome to enable all young choristers at least once in their lives the opportunity to meet the Pope and sing for a Papal liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica. Our next International Congress in Rome will be held in late December 2023.
For more information on our festivals and tours, we encourage you to reach out to us! Come sing with us!