Beneath the beautiful, vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, fourteen students from the School of Saint Elizabeth’s liturgical choir joyfully raised their voices in harmony with a dozen other schools to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Pueri Cantores in Morristown, N.J. The event, led by Diocese of Paterson Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, drew hundreds of attendees last month who packed the pews.

Pueri Cantores, which translates to “singing children” in Latin, was founded in France in 1907 and became recognized by the Vatican in 1953. Today, it includes national federations in 43 countries and approximately 70,000 young singers worldwide. According to the official American Federation of Pueri Cantores website, its mission is to “evangelize and catechize choristers through the medium of sacred music, aiding them in growing in their faith and rooting them ever deeper in the Church.”

It’s an event that the School of Saint Elizabeth liturgical choir led by Music Director Bill Alford, has participated in for the past four years and for good reason.

“First of all, it is an opportunity for them to see that there are other people like them in other schools doing what they are doing,” Alford explains. “Second, I think it is an affirmation of their devotion to music and the liturgy that they have become really passionate about it. Pueri Cantores also offers a level of musical accomplishment that would be hard to create in an individual parish like ours. So it’s their parish experience but amplified and elevated.”

School of Saint Elizabeth choir students eagerly look forward to Pueri Cantores every year. Sixth-grade student Klari points out, “It is important to me because we are a Catholic school and we want to show our faith by doing what we love by singing and making new friends.”

Bella, an eighth-grade student, echoes similar sentiments. “It is such a great opportunity not only to be with your choir and all of your friends, but you get to meet other people and have a really cool experience. Not only do you improve vocally, but it is also a really great spiritual opportunity,” she adds with a smile.

In the weeks leading up to the festival, choir students from fourth through eighth grade rehearse at their home schools, preparing the Pueri Cantores music program, which includes Gregorian chants, traditional hymns, and newly composed anthems. On the day of the event, students have a mere three hours to rehearse together with the other participating school choirs under the direction of a guest conductor. This year, Pueri Cantores welcomed conductor Dr. Alfred Calabrese, who added to Alford’s excitement.

“Dr. Alfred Calabrese is a very well-known musician not only in the U.S. in Catholic church music and in college and university music, but is also internationally recognized,” Alford reveals. “He has very high standards for how he wants them to sing and how they express themselves in the liturgy, all the way down to instructing them how to greet each other at the Passing of the Peace.”

Reflecting on the experience, eighth-grader Victoria shares, “It’s definitely one of the most memorable events because it brings our choir out of our comfort zone. It brings us to a new church with new music. At this point, it is almost like a Saint E’s choir tradition, and I think it also brings us closer as a choir.”

Alford is always proud of his highly accomplished choir, but the way his students demonstrate their musical talent and dedication at the Vatican-approved Pueri Cantores truly touches his heart.

“It’s a big deal. And it’s something that helps you feel connected not only in the Tri-State area, but globally to people who are doing the same thing,” he concludes. “I’m going to tear up, but the number of times people said to me, ‘You should be so proud of your kids,’ is just a testament to their upbringing, their connection to each other, their love of the school, and their understanding of their faith, because it just seems effortless to them. Whenever a question was asked by the conductor, our kids’ hands went up first. It’s a long day, and their ability to stay focused, attentive, and constantly participating was really magical.”

* This article was originally published in the April 2026 edition of Catholic Spirit.