Music and liturgy often work together hand in hand, and through that we praise God through the hymns, service music and anthems we sing, as well as the way we respond and participate in the liturgy. The choral music we sing at the Cathedral is a mostly based around the rich choral tradition of the English Church from the Middle Ages through the 21st century.
Join the Friends of Music Society
Throughout the centuries, the church has served as a center for artistic and musical expression, helping to comfort, inspire, and refresh parishioners and visitors alike. The Cathedral Church of St. Peter has long had a reputation of providing musical arts in such a way that is accessible for all, deepens our worship life, and creates vitality within the community. Our ability to offer diverse artists and exciting programs is only possible through the generosity of donors like you.
When you support the Friends of Music Society, you are a part of a community dedicated to ensuring the life of future of the Cathedral’s robust offerings, such as world-renown talent such as The Tesla Quartet, impressive regional groups like MasterChorale and St. Pete Baroque, and our ability to attract headliner groups like Chanticleer. Beyond these concerts, your support of the Friends of Music Society also provides up-and-coming local artists an opportunity to perform in our beautiful space and bring music to the city we love.
Music brings us together in unique and wonderful ways. If you have made a financial contribution to the Friends of Music Society in the past, or have attended one of our concerts, we thank you for your support! If you have not, we invite you to consider a gift today that will greatly enrich our St. Petersburg and the Cathedral. You can make a donation online at spcathedral.org/give or mail your gift to the church office.
On behalf of the Friends of Music Society, thank you for your support.
ways to join music ministry at the cathedral
The music program at the Cathedral exists for many reasons. Its chief purpose is to glorify God, and to assist, encourage and inspire the congregation in worship. If you are interested in becoming involved or would like to learn more about music at the Cathedral, please contact Dwight Thomas.
The Cathedral Choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and sings for the Sunday 10:15 am Holy Eucharist and for concerts and special liturgies as scheduled. Singers should be able to read music and have some experience in ensemble singing. No audition required, only a simple voice placement appointment.
The Cathedral Chamber Choir is a smaller, semi-professional ensemble of singers from St. Peter's and from outside the Cathedral community. These singers have excellent music reading ability and more extensive singing and ensemble experience. This choir rehearses one Saturday a month and sings for Choral Evensongs, concerts and special liturgies as scheduled. Openings for this ensemble occur occasionally, and an audition is required.
The St. Petersburg Festival Chorus is a community-based chorus which sings Choral Masterworks with orchestra as a part of Cathedral Arts concert series. This ensemble rehearses on Tuesdays, as needed, from from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Singers should be able to read music and have some experience in ensemble singing. No audition required.
Meet our Staff Singers!
Margarita “Maggie” Mardirosian
Maggie is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she studied voice with Maria Esther Robles at the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Iowa State University, and subsequently moved to Tampa in 1987. Maggie was a soloist and section leader at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Tampa (1988 to 2018), and is currently a section leader at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter (Evensong Choir 2010 to present; Cathedral Choir 2018 to present). Maggie has been a cantor at Nativity Catholic Church, Brandon, Florida, since 2000. She has performed as a soloist with the Sarasota Choral Society, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Oratorio Society of Tampa, Mendelssohn Choir at St. John’s Church, Tampa, and The Mostly Pops Orchestra. She has performed solos in sacred works, including Handel’s “Messiah,” various Bach Cantatas, John Rutter's "Requiem," and Fauré’s “Requiem,” as well as pop tunes and repertoire from musical theater. She has performed supporting roles with Tampa Bay Opera and Opera Tampa, and performed leading and supporting roles with Spanish Lyric Theater. Maggie has also been a featured soloist in chamber music and small ensemble choral works with Florida Pro Musica and the Bay Baroque Ensemble. She is a frequent early music guest recitalist at the University of South Florida. When she is not singing, Maggie is a paralegal at the Tampa law firm of Weekley Schulte Valdes Murman Tonelli. Maggie lives in Brandon with her husband, musician, Dr. Haig Mardirosian.