The Cathedral Cultural Series provides a venue for the performance of rarely heard organ and choral music by critically acclaimed artists in the acoustically rich and historic environment of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The Series promotes international, national and local talent in concert with ticket prices kept to a minimum for the advantage of the local community. As an avenue for the premiere of new works, the Cathedral Cultural Series presents diverse musical events from the Renaissance to Jazz and Gospel. It has provided the opportunity to premier new works by Elwood Derr, Dr. James Hartway from Wayne State University, Adolphus Hailstork, as well as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s premiere of Fanfare for a Sacred Occasion. For the rededication of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in 2003, a commissioned work by Adolphus Hailstork for brass and orchestra, “Fanfare on ‘Amazing Grace'” was performed. Also at the rededication, a newly commissioned work by James Hartway, “Processional” was also performed.
The Cathedral Cultural Series has presented concerts by Vienna Choir Boys and Chanticleer, as well as recitals by world acclaimed organists Olivier Latry, Petr Plany, Simon Preston, Rudolf Innig, Pierre Cochereau and James Kibbie. In 2016, the Cathedral Cultural Series presented Detroit’s first performance of the Monteverdi 1610 Vespers on period instruments.
As a nonprofit organization, funding is provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Archdiocese of Detroit, and private donations.
The Cathedral Cultural Series was founded in 1974. Dr. Norah Duncan IV became the director of the Series in 1980. Today, the Series is under the directorship of Archdiocese of Detroit Director of Music, Joe Balistreri.