Undoubtedly, seeing St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a must-experience for any Rome visitor.
But for musicians, their families and friends, there’s an even bigger honor we’re thrilled to play a small part in with — thanks to a strong and decade long respectful relationship with officials at this incredible cathedral.
The current and former students from San Juan Hills High School’s Choral and Vocal Arts in Southern California will be singing at the main altar at San Pietro in Vaticano — not just once, but twice. On Thursday, April 10, the Southern California Choral Ambassadors (SCCA) from SJHHS, directed by Michael Ushino, are the guest choir for Holy Mass at 5 pm. Prior to providing the music for the daily afternoon worship that attracts both local parishioners as well as Catholics from around the world, SCCA has been granted the exceptional opportunity to present a short concert of sacred music from 4 to 4:30 pm. The repertoire includes “Ave Maria” by Javier Busto, “Ave Verum Corpus” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Esto Les Digo” by Kinley Lange and “Sicut Cervus” by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
A Closer Look at St. Peter’s Basilica
In this city of outstanding churches, none can hold a candle to St Peter’s (Basilica di San Pietro), Italy’s most significant, prosperous, and spectacular basilica. Built atop an earlier 4th-century church, it was consecrated in 1626 after 120 years of construction. Its lavish interior contains many stunning works of art, including three of Italy’s most celebrated masterpieces: Michelangelo’s Pietà, his soaring dome, and Bernini’s 95-foot-high baldachin over the papal altar. St Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest temples for Christendom and one of the largest churches in the world.
Besides, it is where the Pope presides many liturgies all year round.
What to Know About Accessing the Vatican
It is important to note that the choir sings as part of the liturgy, and visitors are asked to be respectful. Saint Peter’s Basilica is an actual parish church, with Mass celebrated daily for the local community and the thousands of visitors who happen to drop by throughout the day.
Access to St. Peter’s Basilica is free and requires no tickets, but everyone must pass through the security checkpoints. It is highly recommended that you arrive well before the worship service. We recommend getting in the often very long lines by 2 pm.
A church-appropriate dress code is required: No shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless shirts are allowed when entering St. Peter’s Basilica or attending a Papal event on St. Peter’s Square.
The official website of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican (Holy See) and Pope Francis can be found here.
Singing at St. Peter’s Basilica for Holy Mass is a rare musical privilege that few choirs ever experience. Beyond the magnificent acoustics and architectural splendor, your choir stands where centuries of sacred music have resonated. Basilica San Pietro is the epicenter of Catholic worship. The historical weight of this opportunity speaks for itself.