Saint Toribio Romo Youth Choir
Photos courtesy of Erik Aguilar
Saint Toribio Romo Choir
The Youth Choir of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Requirements
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Boys Ages 8-12 (unchanged voices)
Girls Ages 8-14
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Consistent attendance and punctuality
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Children must be able to match pitch
Director: Gayle Winney under the direction of Rex Rallanka
Co-Director: Jonathan Hansen
Saturdays 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where: The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Saint Francis Classroom, Mercy Hall
Objectives:
The choir's purpose is to learn and sing the music of the liturgy. While doing so, students will study the fundamentals of music.
Goals:
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Children will learn how to use their head voices to create a beautiful singing tone in unison. After this goal has been accomplished, children will sing in rounds and two parts.
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Sing in the Children’s 5:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve
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Sing in a Mass at Easter
About Gayle Winney, Director
This Fall marks Winney's twenty-eighth year as an elementary school Music Teacher. During her career she has received numerous honors. These include a 2023 state award from the California Music Educators Association, being selected as the San Juan Unified Teacher of the Year in 2008 and 2019, ABC News Ten March 2016 Teacher of the Month, and receiving a Schools Credit Union Teaching Award. Gayle is a member of our parish and sings in the adult choir.
About Jonathan Hansen, Assistant Director
Jonathan has served in the Cathedral's music ministry for over 15 years, acting variously as a choral scholar, cantor, and assistant conductor. He is also a founding member of the Cathedral’s artists in residence, Capella Antiqua, performing frequently in their yearly concert offerings. Outside the Cathedral, Jonathan has had a robust career as a soloist and chorister, performing roles as varied as Gherardo in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and the Voice of the Book in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: the Complete Radio Scripts.
For more information or to schedule an audition contact: toribio@sbssac.org
Rehearsal Schedule
Saturdays from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Full Choir
September
20, 27
October
4, 11, 18, 25
November
1, 8, 15, 16, 22
(November 16th 12:00 p.m. Spanish Mass
In uniforms and seated at 11:40)
(November 22nd – no rehearsal. St. Cecilia Mass at 11:30 a.m. Attendance is required)
No rehearsal November 29th
December
6, 13, 20
Christmas Eve Children’s Mass Tuesday, December 24th @ 5 p.m.
Call Time: 4:15 p.m. in uniform and seated
Rehearsal Schedule
No Saturday Rehearsals December 25-January 31st
January 11th Sing with adult choir at the 10 a.m. Mass
Rehearsal Resumes February 7, 2026
February
7,14, 21, 28
March
7, 14 San Francisco Choral Festival and Mass, 21, 28
Dress Rehearsal with Adults Wednesday, April 1st 7-8 p.m.
April 4 – No rehearsal
Easter Mass
Sunday, April 5th
10 a.m.
Call Time: 9:45 in uniform and seated
April 11
12-1 p.m. End of the Year Party
Sunday, April 19th – Sing with the Adult Choir at the 10 a.m. Mass
Sunday, May 3rd – Sing with the Adult Choir at the 10 a.m. Mass