American Federation Festival Season 2025

The 2025 American Federation of Pueri Cantores Festival Season recently came to a close having included a record number of 18 festivals across the country – from Southern California to Houston to Boston – which involved more than 2.600 young singers from 170 different schools, homeschool programs, and parishes around the nation. Together with our singers, choir directors, music teachers, choir parents, host churches, and volunteers, the mission of AFPC to evangelize and catechize through the profound medium of sacred music was put into glorious action, and it was a triumphant few months for the American Federation of Pueri Cantores, our young people, and the Catholic Church both regionally and nationally.

At each Festival, hundreds of young singers ages 9-18 from various Catholic Schools and parishes around the region unite for a day of musical excellence, spiritual and personal growth, academic and cultural enrichment, and community, inclusion, and friendship. In preparation of the Festival day, individual choirs spend months rehearsing and learning the Festival repertoire with their choir directors and music teachers. On the day of the Festival, the combined choir of hundreds of students is led by a nationally recognized Catholic conductor/educator who engages and inspires the gathered choristers, bringing the sacred music to life. The Festival day lasts 7 hours with ample rehearsal time, lunch/snack breaks, opportunities for children to interact with their peers, and the day culminates with the Festival Mass, where the trained combined choir shares their beautiful young voices to enhance the liturgy, with the local ordinary celebrating the Mass.

Southern California Festival & Mass

Combined choir of 330 singer with AFPC President & Guest Conductor Paul French and celebrant Bishop Kevin W. Vann at the 2025 Southern California Festival at Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA.

“Singing is the only instrument that humans are born with. To me, it is a God-given talent, and to use it to my best ability is a way of thanking him for my voice. I like to help my choir to create wonderful sounds and make it full of diverse vocal ranges and octaves. I feel like singing in choir has strengthened my connection to God and secured my trust in Him. He takes away my fear and grants me joy when we come together in worship. It enriches my friendships by allowing me to connect with others and build confidence in myself to explore, experiment, and improve.

I enjoy participating in Pueri Cantores because of the thrills and wonders it brings. We prepare carefully and for long periods of time, which makes festivals feel more worthwhile and exciting because of the anticipation leading up to those moments. I always enjoy seeing the enormous and beautiful buildings we visit, and when I see people come together for these festivals, I feel united and grateful for my ability to fill a place with singing. I am grateful to be a part of such an influential federation, and despite the extensive work done to refine our singing and memorization, I would gladly attend each Pueri Cantores festival when possible because I always have great expectations and experiences from each one.”

Patrick, Age 13, Holy Family Choristers, Orange, CA

Pueri Cantores Southern California Regional Festival

Northern California Festival & Mass

Combined choir of 150 singers with celebrant Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone at the 2025 Northern California Festival at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, San Francisco, CA.

“This is my second year participating in the Pueri Cantores Festival at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. Meeting other students from the Northern California Regionwho share in the passion for music and common faith is one of my favorite things about the festival. Singing and training together fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. It is a great way to strengthen our bonds through teamwork, to learn more about each other, and to appreciate each other’s voices. I love bringing joy and hope through music to the parishioners and out-of-town visitors. Collaborating with all the choirs and leading the congregation in song and prayer helps me feel more connected to others and to God.”

Alliana, Age 14, St. Mary's Cathedral Choir School, San Francisco, CA

Pueri Cantores Northern California Regional Festival

Houston Festival & Mass

Combined choir of 215 singers with celebrant Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo at the 2025 Houston Festival & Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston, TX.

Michigan Festival & Mass

Combined choir of 230 singers with AFPC President & Guest Conductor Paul French and AFPC Board Member & FIPC Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr. James Conlon from the 2025 Michigan Festival & Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ann Arbor, MI.

Mid-Atlantic Festival & Mass

Combined choir of 300 singers with celebrant Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory from the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Festival & Mass at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.

New York Festival & Mass

2025 New York Festival & Mass at Church of the Blessed Sacrament, New York, NY.

Florida Festival & Mass

Combined choirs and happy singers with their commemorative Festival medallions at the 2025 Florida Festival & Mass at Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tampa, FL.