We are delighted to share a glimpse of what was a truly remarkable 2026 Festival Season. Across the country, thousands of young singers gathered to do what Pueri Cantores exists for at its heart: to lift their voices together in sacred music, build friendships across communities, and encounter the beauty of the Church through song.
This year, on the 75th Anniversary of Pueri Cantores, 18 festivals brought together 3,000 singers from 200 choirs across 66 dioceses, making it our most far-reaching season yet. More importantly, these numbers represent something living and growing: choirs returning year after year, new communities discovering the joy of participation, and young singers experiencing the Church in a deeply personal and unforgettable way.
From long-standing vibrant gatherings like the Mid-Atlantic and Southern California festivals, to new beginnings in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Omaha, each event offered the same core experience – hundreds of young voices forming one choir, in beautiful and historic sacred spaces, led by inspiring conductors, and culminating in the celebration of the liturgy led by the local ordinary. We are encouraged to see new momentum taking root, bringing sacred music to communities where it is needed and welcomed.
In Miami, St. Louis, and Northern California, we saw renewed energy and strong growth, reminding us that when choirs are invited back into this shared experience, they return with enthusiasm, often bringing others with them. This ripple effect – choirs inviting choirs – is at the heart of how this movement continues to flourish.
What we witnessed this season cannot be captured by numbers alone. It is found in the moment a young singer discovers their voice in a cathedral space, in the unity of hundreds of voices singing as one, and in the joy and beauty of music offered in prayer. We are deeply grateful to our choir directors, clergy, host parishes, volunteers, donors, and families whose support makes all of this possible. Above all, we thank our young singers, whose voices continue to give life, beauty, and meaning to this mission.
Please enjoy the highlights that follow, and thank you for being part of this growing family of sacred music.
With gratitude and every blessing,
Paul French
President of the American Federation Pueri Cantores
Impressions from the 18 festivals
Click on the links below to take you directly to a Festival page for more information.
Chicago / Cincinnati / Columbus / Houston / Florida / Michigan / Mid-Atlantic / Milwaukee / New England / New Jersey / Northern California / Omaha / Phoenix / Pittsburgh / Salt Lake City / Southern California / St. Louis Metropolitan
I have attended the American Federation Pueri Cantores Festivals in Orange County for the past four years. I enjoy participating because I get to meet so many people who share the beautiful gift of singing. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as we used our God-given gifts beautifully, with the help of our conductor, made me incredibly happy. Singing sacred music reminds me of the beautiful witness to Christ that many artists have given throughout history, inspiring me to do the same. Being in choir has helped me become more open to improvement and growth. When I’m older, I hope to teach children sacred music to deepen their love for music and Christ.
Beyond the Festival: Bringing Pueri Cantores Repertoire to Life All Year Long
- Use it throughout the liturgical year – Program Pueri Cantores repertoire at Sunday Masses, holy days, school liturgies, First Communions, confirmations, and other parish and school celebrations so students continue to grow with the music beyond the festival.
- Build a year-round performance and formation cycle – Incorporate festival pieces into Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter concerts, and revisit past repertoire to strengthen musicianship, sight-reading, and long-term musical memory.
- Collaborate within the parish community – Partner with adult parish choirs for shared liturgies or concerts, giving students the opportunity to sing alongside experienced singers and experience a fuller sense of parish musical life and mentorship.
- Integrate repertoire into teaching and rehearsal – Use festival music as a foundation for developing vocal technique, diction, ensemble skills, and music literacy, including theory, form, and historical context in the classroom and rehearsal setting.
- Extend the music beyond the parish walls – Share the Festival sacred repertoire through diocesan events, school-wide celebrations, and outreach performances in community spaces such as nursing homes and local gatherings, allowing students to serve others through song.
- Continue the connection with other Pueri Cantores Festival choirs – Reunite with choirs that participated in your regional Festival and reuse the festival repertoire through shared performances, liturgies, or other new collaborative settings.
AFPC-NCEA Spring Webinars
Pueri Cantores Presents: “Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: Rubrics, Repertory, and Rehearsals for Children’s Choirs and Liturgy”
A three-part webinar series for Conductors of Catholic Student Choirs, Worship Leaders, and Classroom Teachers, Elementary through High School
St. Paul urges us to “encourage one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with hearts full of thankfulness to God.” (Colossians 3:16). In this 3-part webinar series we will examine each of these categories through the lenses of useful repertory for children’s and youth choirs, rehearsal strategies and pedagogy, and liturgical use at children’s liturgies and school masses.
Join us for these no-cost webinars, featuring a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the presenter. *Please note that attendees must register for each separate session.
