Music Program

St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir School

Stella Maris Academy is home to the acclaimed Cathedral Choir School, a unique opportunity for rigorous, comprehensive musical instruction – and the only one of its kind in the San Francisco Bay Area. Led by Dr. Christoph Tietze, who holds a Master of Musical Arts from Yale University and a Doctor of Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation, the Choir School performs at liturgies at St. Mary’s Cathedral, as well regular tours to Rome and the California Missions. The choir has daily rehearsals, and its repertoire includes Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, Spirituals and Classical music. The Choir School is free of charge to all Stella Maris students, with dedicated members able to earn scholarships towards school tuition.

Choir School Website

Our Teachers

Dr. Tietze has been directing childrens’ choirs since 1979, both on the East coast and in California. He is currently Music Director/Organist at St. Mary’s Cathedral and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from SJSU, a Master of Music and a Master of Musical Arts from Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, and a Doctor of Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation. His choirs have performed throughout the United States and Europe, and his books on the Introits are published by World Library Publications and Liturgy Training Publications.
Jennifer Park, mezzo-soprano, was raised in the Bay Area, where her passion for music and singing flourished through her involvement with the San Francisco Girls Chorus, beginning in January 2012. Her experiences with the chorus, which included domestic and international performances, paved the way for her undergraduate studies in music and vocal performance at the University of California, Santa Cruz, starting in October 2020. Under the mentorship of Dr. Emily Sinclair, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Music in June 2023. Jennifer serves as a cantor and choir member at St. Mary’s Cathedral under the direction of Dr. Christoph Tietze and sings as a member of the Archbishop’s Schola under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.
Marni Strome has 34 years of experience as a music teacher and chldren's choir director. She began teaching in San Francisco five years ago, when she joined Dr. Christoph Tietze as a music educator with the Cathedral Choir School. Her training includes a Master’s degree in Music Education with emphasis in Kodály
Marni has worked as a sessional instructor in Kodály Levels courses for teachers at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, and Silver Winds (Manitoba) Summer programs, and as a choir / conducting teacher at Holy Names University in Oakland. Marni studied choral conducting in numerous master class and summer seminar settings including Bulgaria, Hungary, Indianapolis, and California. She spent summers volunteering with the Christian Brothers at a township school in South Africa, where she offered music instruction.

Choir School Youtube

K-8 Music

Stella Maris students receive an extensive musical education. The Kodaly and Ward methods are taught K-8 and all grades have music instruction several times a week. Students learn to read and experience music through listening, singing, writing, and moving. In this approach, the singing voice is believed to be foundational to the development of excellent musicianship. Music concepts and skills are taught sequentially, using a variety of quality music including Sacred, Art, and Folk songs.To enhance the Kodaly and Ward Methods, classroom instrument instruction is integrated into the curriculum.

Recorder grades 3 & 4
Violin grades 5 & 6
Handbells grades 7 & 8

Instrumental Instruction

School Performances

Christmas and Spring Concerts

Joint performances by our SMA music program and the Cathedral Choir School, featuring classical choral works and student performances on violin, recorder, and handbells.