The Cathedral Schola Cantorum

The Cathedral Schola Cantorum was founded in 1999 by former archdiocesan music director and organist Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez and comprises professional singers. The choir maintains a very high standard of musical excellence, with many choristers active as vocal soloists, music educators, and church musicians throughout the region.

Since early 2025, the Cathedral Schola Cantorum has been directed by Dr. Gabriel Löfvall, a conductor, pianist, and tenor originally from Mendoza, Argentina whose international career has taken him from his native South America to concert halls and cathedrals across North America and Europe. Dr. Löfvall holds advanced degrees in piano performance and choral conducting from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford and brings to the cathedral a deep commitment to expressive sacred music and pedagogical excellence. His extensive experience leading ensembles large and small, and his passion for illuminating the spiritual heart of the repertoire, shape the Schola’s evolving artistic vision. Previous choirmasters include Ms. Meredith Neumann, Dr. Edward Bolkovac, and Dr. Jeffrey Douma.

The choir’s repertoire encompasses the full breadth of Roman Catholic sacred music, including Gregorian chant, a cappella motets from the 16th through 20th centuries, major works for chorus and orchestra, and newly commissioned compositions. The Cathedral Schola Cantorum frequently collaborates with Soli Deo Gloria Orchestra, founded jointly by Dr. Menéndez and Dr. Bolkovac and comprises many of the region’s finest orchestral musicians.

The Cathedral Schola Cantorum provides music for the 11am Sunday liturgy and for major archdiocesan celebrations, many of which are broadcast by EWTN, WCCT, and ORTV or WJMJ Catholic Radio. In addition to its central liturgical role, the ensemble contributes actively to the concert life of the greater Hartford area and has appeared in performance with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.

For audition information, please contact Dr. Gabriel Löfvall at gabriel.lofvall@sjcct.org or by phone at 860 249 8431, extension 3316.