Lessons and Carols features the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Ralph Holtzhauser
NEWS RELEASE
November 10, 2025
Contact: Ralph Holtzhauser, Diocesan Director of Music and Cathedral Musician
(330) 744-8451, ext. 212; rholtzhauser@youngstowndiocese.org
The Great “O” Antiphons Lessons and Carols: Sunday November 30th at 7:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Columba
Come hear the fantastic cathedral choir sing Healey Willan’s setting of The Great “O” Antiphons. Dating back to the eighth century, these are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. Willan’s prayerful and darker setting of these antiphons will complement the many bold and colorful anthems sung by the choir. This is not an event to miss. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to a reception afterwards.
A Vision of Advent Improvisation Concert by Carlo Massimo: Friday December 5th at 6:30pm at the Cathedral of St. Columba
Come hear the U.S. debut performance by Carlo Massimo. Carlo will be giving an all improvisation concert on Advent familiar themes; this concert is not to be missed. Please read his biography:
Carlo began playing both piano and organ at the young age of two years old. After being self taught for six years, he enrolled at the prestigious “St Mary’s Music School” in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he stayed for nine years, studying the organ with Duncan Ferguson, the master of music at St Mary’s Cathedral, and the piano with both John Bryden and Richard Beauchamp. At the same time, Carlo became a chorister in St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, during which time he sang concerts both solo and with the choir around Europe in countries such as France, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic. During this period, Carlo also gave concerts around Scotland as a pianist, accompanist and organist, notably in a critically acclaimed concert in the Usher Hall (Edinburgh, Scotland) at the age of 16.
In 2023 Carlo moved to Paris and began studying organ with Eric Lebrun and David Cassan at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Saint-Maur, and also with Maestro Jean-Paul Imbert at the Schola Cantorum, where he received his Diplome de Concert with the highest possible mention of très bien avec felicitations à l’unanimité. While in Paris, Carlo has already played for services and concerts in churches such as La Madeleine, Saint-Jacques du Haut-Pas (where he accompanied the choir of the École Polytechnique), La Trinité and the basilica of Sainte-Clotilde, where he is at this moment the youngest organist ever to accompany mass. In the summer of 2025, Carlo was a finalist for the Tournamire Prize in the world renowned St. Albans Organ Competition and from September, Carlo is continuing his studies at the HEMU in Lausanne with Benjamin Righetti.
This event is also free, and a free-will offering will benefit the Cathedral music program.
