Instrumental Ensembles
Cathedral Brass has four principals plus percussionists, but is often expanded to as many as 16 players. The principals, who are also active in the Seattle Symphony, the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and other local professional orchestras, have nearly 30 services and rehearsals in the annual schedule at St. James. The Cathedral Brass principals are Vince Green, trumpet; David Hensler, trumpet; Stan Jeffs, trombone; Doug Nierman, bass trombone; Matthew Kocmieroski, percussion; Rob Tucker, percussion. Joseph Adam, manager. Dr. James Savage, conductor.
Cathedral Chamber Orchestra is made up of 13-18 string players from the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony and the Auburn Symphony. Although specializing in sacred music and concertos of Mozart and Bach, the orchestra has performed Messiaen’s Trois petites liturgies, Duruflé’s Requiem, and Charpentier’s Messe de minuit pour Noel. Members of the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra frequently perform in small ensembles with the Cathedral Choir or Soloists. Eileen Swanson, managing director; Dr. James Savage, conductor.
The Cathedral Pipers has a flexible membership of up to 16 pipes and drums. The full band accompanies the Blessed Sacrament in the great Corpus Christi outdoor procession each year. Individual members and smaller ensembles perform at numerous other occasions including weddings and funerals. Tyrone Heade, Cathedral Piper and ensemble manager.
Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera & Oratorio (SABO&O) is a program dedicated to preparing musicians for a career in baroque oratorio and opera performance. Founded by Stephen Stubbs, the program is tailored to meet the requirements of individual singers and instrumentalists.
St. James Percussion Ensemble performs on the Cathedral’s set of "Orff" mallet percussion instruments, and has a flexible membership depending on the demands of the music being performed. The ensemble can be heard frequently at First Sunday Youth Celebrations, Christmas Eve and various Archdiocesan events. Clint Kraus, director.
Viola da gamba Society--Pacific Northwest is a resident program which rehearses at the Cathedral and plays at various liturgies, concerts and outreach programs throughout the year. Margriet Tindemans, consultant.
Guest Orchestras To encourage orchestral accompaniment of important sacred literature, the Cathedral invites outstanding professional and community orchestras to join resident choirs in performances of choral masterworks.
Guest Orchestras have included
Orchestra Seattle, George Shangrow, founder and music director. Monteverdi Vespers of 1610
Philharmonia Northwest, Roupen Shakarian, music director. Bach Wachet auf! BWV 140
Seattle Baroque Orchestra, Ingrid Matthews, music director, Byron Schenkman, artistic director. Bach Magnificat
Seattle Youth Symphony, Jonathan Shames, director. Mahler Resurrection Symphony