As the iconic jacarandas of The University of Queensland signal the onset of summer, preparations for Christmas at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane are well underway. Dr Graeme Morton AM, Director of Music at St John’s and choral conducting fellow at UQ, oversees the musical preparations that bring the festive season to life.
Dr Morton’s meticulous planning begins months ahead. His home study, brimming with choral scores and ideas jotted on scraps of paper, reflects his commitment to crafting an extraordinary Advent and Christmas repertoire. “The final list for Advent is done by early November, and for Christmas by early December,” he shares. The Cathedral Choir, including its renowned boy trebles, exemplifies the high standard of music that defines St John’s. Recently, the boys mastered a Jonathan Dove mass within a week, a testament to their dedication.
The choir’s traditions extend to choristers like Nick Hughes, who began as a treble and now sings as a countertenor. Hughes embraces the rigorous preparation for services like the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, and the Christmas Eve midnight mass, where the rapid turnaround of repertoire reflects the English choral tradition.
This year marks a significant milestone: the St John’s Girl Choristers will join the boys for the Christmas morning service. Dr Morton emphasises the importance of this inclusion, stating, “We want to make a statement to the community, and particularly visitors, that girls belong in the Cathedral.”
Among the choir’s devoted members is Alexandra Bartetzko, a 23-year-old pianist and aspiring music therapist. Having sung with the Cathedral Choir for five years, Bartetzko recalls her first Christmas at St John’s vividly. “The energy of the congregation and the acoustics of the gothic architecture made it unforgettable, especially during a tropical storm as we sang Silent Night.”
While Dr Morton acknowledges the irony of singing northern hemisphere carols in Brisbane’s heat, he incorporates Australian Christmas compositions to reflect local culture. The choir’s album, We Welcome Summer: Christmas in an Australian Cathedral, showcases this blend of tradition and innovation.
Beyond the music, St John’s offers a multisensory experience. “People still come because they love the music, the candles, the robes, and this amazing building,” says Dr Morton. For him, the cathedral’s role in fostering a soul-stirring connection remains timeless, bridging his academic work at UQ and his passion for sacred music.
This Christmas, as the Cathedral Choir raises its voices, Brisbane’s community will gather to celebrate a blend of tradition, innovation, and heartfelt joy under the soaring arches of St John’s.
This article was originally published in 4MBS Classic FM Program Guide.
About the Author
This article was written by Tricia Elgar, a freelance writer, editor and music educator with a passion for Brisbane’s creative arts scene. A graduate of The University of Queensland’s music, writing, editing and publishing program, Tricia regularly contributes to arts publications and is co-authoring a history of Brisbane’s St Peter’s congregation.
