Frequently Asked Questions
What is admission to Saint Paul's Choir School based upon?
Admission to Saint Paul’s Choir School is based on an individual audition and an academic application. We welcome academically capable boys with a promising musical ear and a willingness to learn.
Previous singing experience or formal musical training is not required. Whether your son enjoys singing in the car, performs on stage, or has never received a music lesson, he may have the potential to become an accomplished chorister.
Our Music Director and faculty are looking for musical potential, curiosity, and enthusiasm—not simply prior performance experience. To learn more or schedule an audition, please contact our Admissions Office. We would love to hear your son sing!
How talented must a boy be to join Saint Paul's Choir School?
Boys at Saint Paul’s come with a wide range of musical backgrounds, from no previous training to substantial vocal experience. What matters most is a promising musical ear, an ability to match pitch, and an eagerness to learn.
If your son enjoys singing along to the radio or in the car, we would love to hear him! Our audition process is designed to identify potential, not polished performance.
With dedicated instruction and daily practice, boys develop remarkable musical abilities. Saint Paul’s choristers have gone on to perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, appear on professional recordings, and participate in television and radio broadcasts, including programs with WGBH, SiriusXM, FOX, Good Morning America, and CatholicTV.
The opportunity to develop a skill to such a high level—one that can be shared with audiences nationally and internationally—is a truly distinctive part of the Saint Paul’s experience.
What does is the cost of tuition?
Annual tuition is currently $23,000. However, the actual cost of educating each boy is higher. The difference is made possible through the generosity of donors and supporters who believe in the mission of Saint Paul’s Choir School.
Is financial aid available to all? Is it need-based or merit?
Yes! Financial aid is need-based and available to families who qualify. All families are welcome and encouraged to apply for financial aid through FACTS. Applications from new families are accepted on a rolling basis. In addition, various scholarships may be available to eligible students.
Saint Paul’s is committed to making the cost of attendance as accessible as possible so that boys with the ability and desire to attend are not prevented from doing so because of financial circumstances.
Learn more about our tuition here!
What type of education is Saint Paul's Choir School modeled on?
Saint Paul’s Choir School draws inspiration from the great European tradition of choir schools, where boys receive a rigorous academic education while serving as members of a parish choir alongside professional adult singers.
At Saint Paul’s, this tradition comes to life through daily liturgical singing, concerts, recordings, and opportunities to travel and perform. Professional singers from Boston’s vibrant musical community join the boys at Sunday Mass, enriching their musical education and experience.
The school also draws on several respected educational traditions and approaches:
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Montessori-inspired learning: Mixed-age groupings encourage collaboration, mentorship, and leadership, much like the structure of the choir itself.
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Catholic education: Religious instruction and opportunities for sacramental preparation help boys grow in faith and understanding.
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Classical education: Students study subjects such as Latin, music theory, rhetoric, and French, developing intellectual curiosity and a strong foundation in the liberal arts.
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A comprehensive academic curriculum: Through the Institute for Excellence in Writing, along with language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, students develop the critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills needed for success in high school and beyond.
The result is an education that nurtures the whole boy—intellectually, musically, spiritually, and personally.
What performances might I expect my son to be a part of during the school year?
The Choir's performance season generally runs from mid-September through mid-June. Choristers sing at Mass throughout the week, Tuesday through Sunday, making sacred music an integral part of their daily school experience.
In addition to regular liturgical singing, the boys participate in concerts and special musical events throughout the year. These may include performances at nearby parishes, weddings and funerals, and collaborations with visiting choirs and professional musicians.
In recent years, Saint Paul’s Choir School has performed alongside distinguished organizations and ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, Vienna Boys Choir, and Harvard Glee Club. The boys have also performed for audiences in New York, Washington, D.C., and at the Vatican.
These experiences give students the opportunity to share their musical gifts on exceptional stages while developing confidence, professionalism, and a lifelong appreciation for music.
Does my son need to be able to sing already?
Not at all! No previous musical training or singing experience is required. The boys learn to sing and read music from the very beginning, as part of the school day. Even families who describe themselves as “not musical at all” have found great success here.
Each prospective student participates in an individual audition with the Music Director, who will then meet with the family to discuss the next steps.
Do we have to be Catholic?
No. Saint Paul’s is a Catholic school, and the boys sing the liturgy as part of their daily formation. However, families of all faiths and backgrounds are warmly welcome.
How much time does it really take to learn choral singing?
A significant commitment—and that is part of what makes the experience so rewarding. The boys rehearse daily and sing at Mass throughout the week. This consistent practice is what allows them to achieve such a high standard of musical excellence.
Parents often say that while the commitment is real, their sons receive far more in return: musical ability, confidence, discipline, friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of sacred music.
What does a typical look like?
A typical day combines a rigorous classical academic curriculum in small classes with two daily choir rehearsals. The boys also sing at the noon weekday Mass and the noon Sunday Mass at Saint Paul’s Church.
Do all the boys sing in the choir?
Yes! All students receive musical training. Boys in Grades 5–8 are known as Choristers, while boys in Grades 3–4 are Pre-Choristers. The younger boys build their musical skills and prepare for their full participation in the choir as they advance.
How big are the classes?
There are approximately 40 boys in the entire school, with classes typically numbering around a dozen students. Class sizes may vary by grade, but the close-knit community means that every teacher knows every boy—and most know every family.
What does traveling to school look like?
Saint Paul’s is conveniently located just a short walk from Harvard Square Station on the MBTA Red Line. Many families also coordinate carpools and share driving responsibilities.
Where do the boys typically transfer to afterwards?
Saint Paul’s graduates go on to some of the region’s most respected independent, Catholic, and college-preparatory schools. Recent graduates have attended Roxbury Latin, Phillips Academy Andover, Boston College High School, Belmont Hill, Catholic Memorial, St. Sebastian’s, Boston University Academy, Xaverian Brothers, and St. John’s Prep, among others.
Several graduates have also been recognized as Scholars of the School at Boston College High School.
When can my son start?
Admissions are offered on a rolling basis for Grades 3–8, depending on availability. Students have joined the school at various points throughout the academic year, including the late fall and after the start of the new year.
How do we apply?
The admissions process can be summed up in four simple steps:
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Enquire – Get in touch with our admissions team.
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Visit – Come experience Saint Paul’s in person.
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Apply – Submit an application for your son.
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Enroll – Take the next step toward joining our community.
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We especially encourage families to schedule a Chorister for a Day visit, which gives prospective students the opportunity to experience classes, rehearsals, and daily life at Saint Paul’s firsthand. It is often the most meaningful part of the admissions process!
Come to an Open House, book a Chorister for a Day visit, or simply join us for Sunday Mass and experience the beauty of the boys’ singing. We would love to welcome you!
Is there an after school program?
Yes. The After School program runs from 3:20 to 5:00 PM. Students have time for a short snack break, followed by supervised study hall, and finish the afternoon with a movement break to help them unwind and stay active.
Please be sure to pack a third snack for students participating in After School programs or staying for voice and piano lessons.
Through the community Rowing Facility in Brighton, we offer an after school rowing program. The Learn to Row Sweeps Fall Program runs every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 pm, September 9 through October 21. The fall program is open to any student who is at least twelve years old or will turn twelve by December 31.
Is there travel involved?
Absolutely! Travel and performance opportunities are an exciting part of the Saint Paul’s experience. Over the years, the boys have traveled to destinations including Rome and the Vatican, France, Germany, New York, and Washington, D.C. They have also enjoyed special musical opportunities, including concerts and performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
These experiences allow the boys to share their musical gifts, explore new places, and build friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
Are boys divided by age or ability?
The boys are organized into three groups according to their stage of musical development and experience: Pre-Choristers, Choristers, and Choral Scholars.
- Pre-Choristers (Grades 3–4): These younger students are in training, developing their vocal skills, learning to read music, and preparing to join the main choir.
- Choristers (Grades 5-8): These boys form the main choir and serve as the public face of Saint Paul’s Choir School, singing regularly at liturgies, concerts, and special events.
- Choral Scholars: This group includes former Choristers whose voices are changing and who are given time to rest and develop their maturing adult voices. It also includes students who have continued their musical studies as members of the broader choral program. Choral Scholars follow an extended musical and academic curriculum, allowing them to deepen their musical knowledge and continue growing as musicians.
Each stage offers boys the opportunity to develop their abilities, take on new responsibilities, and remain an integral part of the Saint Paul’s musical community.
Is there an option for boys whose voices have changed or whose interests include non-singing commitments?
Certainly! The Choral Scholars Program offers an alternative path for boys whose voices are changing or who would benefit from a less intensive musical commitment while continuing to be an important part of the Saint Paul’s community.
Choral Scholars continue to participate in the musical life of the school, singing regularly throughout the week in the responses and hymnody at Mass. They also have opportunities to serve as altar servers, readers, and in other leadership roles within the school and parish.
Unlike the Chorister program, Choral Scholars are not required to attend additional rehearsals and events outside the regular school schedule. This flexibility allows them to devote more time to other interests, including competitive athletics and extracurricular activities beyond Saint Paul’s.
The program also features special academic enrichment opportunities designed to develop skills that will benefit students in their future academic pursuits, high school applications, and potential careers. Through assignments and projects, students build portfolios that can showcase their interests, abilities, and accomplishments to prospective secondary schools.
Each year, Choral Scholars participate in two enrichment programs—one in the fall and one in the spring. Offerings may include subjects such as public speaking and media production, providing opportunities to explore new interests and develop valuable skills.
Just as the Chorister program cultivates musical excellence, the Choral Scholars Program helps boys develop a broader range of academic, creative, and leadership abilities.
At Saint Paul’s, a changing voice is not the end of the journey—it is the beginning of a new opportunity to grow, lead, and discover new talents.