Music

The history of our music culture essentially began with the philanthropy of Theodore Presser. A distinguished musician and founder of “Etude” music magazine, he was more commonly known as the printer of sheet music. Early in the 1900s, Presser established a “Home for Retired Music Teachers.” When it closed in early 1980, six months after Cathedral Village opened, the professional music teachers moved to Cathedral Village. With them came their close relationships with musicians from around the world who would come to visit and perform. Today, as then, the bust of Theodore stands at the entrance to the “Presser Lounge” on the second floor of Houston Commons and the music has never ended.       

• A Concert Committee arranges monthly concert-quality performances in Cathedral Hall for the enjoyment of all residents. In addition to musicians from major orchestras, young classically trained musicians also perform under the auspices of Astral Artists.
• The Village Chorus is a male/female chorus of residents who practice and perform from September through June. They sang in a performance of Our Town at the Arden Theatre and have sung at other venues.     
• The Matinee Musicale Committee organizes resident musicians along with their family and friends to present Sunday afternoon music recitals.       
• A Music Lending Library, located in our main library, has a large Classical Music selection of CDs.   
• Video Programs of Opera performances are shown monthly.       
• Transportation Committees arrange with our uniformed Security staff for weekly or monthly transportation to and from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera, and Ballet.