Schola Cantorum of Christchurch was founded in 1987 by Harry Abbenhuis to preserve and perform the rich tradition of Mediaeval and Renaissance Music. The choir performs in concerts and church services, a cappella and with orchestras, mediaeval instrument groups or other choirs, under the direction of Courtney Hickmott.

See details for our upcoming concert on November 22 2025 on the Upcoming Performance tab

The Schola Cantorum choir sings early European music, mostly unaccompanied.  

Visit our web page at https://scholacantorum.org.nz/

Practices are on Tuesdays 7.30p.m at St Ninians Church, Riccarton Room, 5 Pururi St, Riccarton

New members welcome! See here

The choir singing in the Timaru Basilica August 2023

Schola Cantorum has sung in concerts conducted by Sir David Wilcox and many other well-known conductors.  It has performed complete concerts of mediaeval plainchant (Gregorian chant) and polyphony. Schola Cantorum also sings the rich tradition of early secular music – rounds, madrigals and other forms from many countries, as well as “crossing over” into more modern territory, such as performing Patrick Shepherd’s Elegy for a fallen city following the Christchurch earthquakes.