"Schola Cantorum" is Latin for "School of Cantors." St Mary's Schola is under the direction of Kathleen Moon, Choir Director.  Singing a Sunday or Festal Mass requires chanting traditional texts, as well as familiar hymns, which the Congregation joins in singing. The Schola chants the "Minor Proper" of the Mass. These usually make use of a solo Cantor, or pair of cantors, with responses from the rest of the Schola, in a sort of dialogue.

The plainsong chants used for the traditional Mass texts are in the modal forms. Eight modes were used throughout the early years of the Church. Some of these trace back to Jewish melodies used in the Temple before 70AD. The Anglican Missal uses simplified forms, which many in the congregation pick up, and are able to join the Schola in singing responses back to the Cantors.

For the most part, the traditional texts draw upon the Psalms, and other portions of Holy Scripture. In the "proper" for a Mass, in addition to the assigned Epistle and Gospel readings, are the Introit (or Entrance), the Gradual (when the Gospel Book is brought out to the 'gradus', or 'step', or to the midst of the people), the Offertory verse, and the Communion verse, customarily sung after Communion is completed. In the Easter Season, the Gradual becomes the Alleluya verse, adding the ancient Hebrew exclamation meaning "Praise the LORD!" At some masses, there is also a Sequence Hymn, drawn from ancient Latin Church poetry.

St Mary's Schola also sings from the great repertoire of composed music, spanning the centuries of inspired composition from early polyphony to modern. Much of it is from the English Cathedral & College heritage; but a good deal is from the European continent as well. American works are occasionally premiered at St Mary's, too.

Special musical programs are offered from time to time outside the framework of the Sunday Liturgy, such as an Advent Lessons & Carols service, before Christmas.

Those who are interested in joining the Schola make a big commitment. Joining means rehearsals both before and after the Sunday Mass each week. (This avoids midweek evening rehearsals for our far-flung group.) Ms. Moon will give auditions for those who are serious about this commitment. Sight-reading of music is especially useful.  St Mary's has four section leaders, but welcomes additional singers. It is demanding, but the results are rewarding.