Cathedral Concerts
“To foster appreciation of sacred music through high quality concerts, accessible and free to all…” (from the Cathedral Concerts mission statement)
For half a century, St. Thomas More Cathedral has maintained a unique ministry of bringing the work of established concert artists to the community at large through an annual series of free concerts in the exquisite acoustical environment of the Cathedral. Join us in continuing the marvelous tradition!
Cathedral Concerts is an outreach service dedicated to presenting high-caliber musical performances in our beautiful acoustic at no cost to the public. Our programs range from organ recitals to choral and instrumental concerts. Dates and performance details are can be found below. Every event is open to the parish and general community, and we encourage you to tell your friends about us. Free and ample parking is provided onsite, including accessible spaces for the physically challenged. A reception is held after each concert, where guests and performers meet and interact.
We rely entirely on the generosity of our patrons to cover the cost of stipends for our artists, advertising, printing programs, post-concert refreshments. If you would like to become a sponsor, please see our donation instructions.
Our 2025–2026 Season
Download our season postcard.
Palestrina 500 – Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Ars Gratia Populi, a local professional vocal ensemble of six singers, presents the music of Renaissance master Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of this most eminent member of the Roman school of polyphony, whose music has been described as perfect art, ars perfecta. The program features the Renaissance master’s as-yet unrecorded Missa Tu Es Petrus for six voices. Come enjoy this perfect art sung beautifully in the vibrant acoustic of the Cathedral.
Organ Meditations on Life Eternal – Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Please join us for an afternoon of expressive organ music performed by Andrew Vu, Director of Sacred Music at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The concert will feature dynamic repertoire by such composers as Marcel Dupre, Josef Rheinberger, and others, drawing the audience to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and to meditate with the Blessed Mother on the hope of life forever. Let the magnificent sounds of the Cathedral’s Great Organ lift our hearts and minds toward heaven, our home, and eternal gladness.
Sacred Music for Advent and Christmas – Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Join us for this annual favorite! The Cathedral Choir and Youth Choir will present a prayerful concert of Advent and Christmas music from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century. The audience is also invited to join in singing hymns of joy as we all prepare for the coming of Christ, our Savior.
In Celebration of Music – Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 8:00 pm
The concert will begin and end with our eight Cathedral Choir section leaders singing pieces by Handel, Purcell, and Howells in praise of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians. In between, you will hear the richness of the sacred music tradition with varied solo and small-group selections.
Musical Meditations for Lent – Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Come sing your favorite Lenten hymns and listen to organ music and meditations connected to those hymns. Musical Meditations for Lent will be a prayerful concert of Lenten organ music interspersed with congregational hymns and meditations, featuring all of our own Saint Thomas More Cathedral organists.
He Is Risen Indeed! – Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Featuring Cathedral Choir and chamber orchestra.
See our past concerts!
How to Support Our Mission
As a self-sustaining service, Cathedral Concerts relies on the support of our donors to maintain this marvelous tradition. The cost of presenting these concerts is beyond the resources of the Cathedral parish to support on its own. Therefore, we rely on the generosity of our patrons to make the Concert Series a continuing part of the spiritual and cultural enrichment of Cathedral life and the Metropolitan Area Community.
We invite you to join many in our community who have already given from their treasure so that all may benefit from this beautiful tradition. As a sponsor, your support will be recognized in one of the following categories:
- Cathedral Angels ($1000 and more)
- Benefactors ($500-$999)
- Patrons ($100-$499)
- Sponsors ($50-99)
The names of all donors, as well as “Memorial” gifts will be recognized in concert programs for the entire season in which the gift is made. Donors in the Cathedral Angel category will be personally introduced to the artists at the reception following each concert.
There are two ways to donate:
- Securely online, using Square.
- By check made payable to “Cathedral of St. Thomas More” with “Cathedral Concerts” in the memo.
In order to help us stay in touch with you and acknowledge you for your donation, please download and complete this form. You can then either email the completed form or drop it in the mail to
Cathedral of St. Thomas More
Attn: Cathedral Concerts
3901 Cathedral Lane
Arlington, VA 22203
