About us

The Choir was founded in 1990 by Joseph A. Herter, with assistance from Ryszard Gieros and Alfred Stefankiewicz. Almost since they very beginning, it has been affiliated with St. John’s Basilica in Warsaw, initially as a boy’s choir. It has performed with many Polish and foreign symphony orchestras. Foreign tours have taken the choir to over twenty countries. It has won numerous awards at international choral competitions. In 2016, Franciszek Kubicki succeeded Joseph Herter as conductor of Cantores Minores.

In recent years the choir has scored several notable successes, including:

– First Prize at the 12th ‘Varsovia Cantat’ International Competition (2016);

– Grand Prix and First Prize at the Sacred Song Festivals in Grójec (2017,2018, 2019);

– Second Prize at the ‘Cracovia Cantans’ International Competition (2017);

– Grand Prix and First Prize at the 4th ‘Carmen Fidei’ International Choral Competition in Łomża (2017);

– First Prize (Golden Diploma) in the chamber choir category at the 27th Festival of Advent and Christmas Songs in Prague (2017);

– First Prize at the ‘Sacrosong’ International Festival of Religious and Patriotic Songs in Otwock (2018);
– Golden and silver diploma at the 5th 'Cantu Gaudeamus’ Choir Competition in Białystok (2021).

The choir has a broad repertoire including Gregorian chant, a cappella sacred works (for Lent and Advent, Passion songs, Christmas carols), as well as patriotic and popular songs. It also performs at religious ceremonies in other churches and at various cultural events. The choir sings at St. John’s Basilica during Mass every fourth Sunday of the month as well as during major church holidays. Cantores Minores is a co-founder of the Polish Section of the International Federation of Pueri Cantores. In 2018 the choir has released a CD featuring a selection of Christmas carols (CM 001) and in 2020 a special anniversary album Cantores Minores – 30 years (CM 002).