and laity) are invited to join in the singing as "extra-ordinary members" of the Choir. From among the ordinary members, one is chosen to perform the task of Chorus Master and Secretary. His main responsibility is to look into the day to day functioning of the Choir and rehearse for the approaching programs. Past directors The Santa Cecilia Choir has sung uninterrupted under the direction of renowned musicians who were appointed Professors of Music at the Seminary. Here is a list of the Directors of the Santa Cecilia Choir: Rev. Agostinho de Rocha (founder Director) Rev. Luis Bruno Menezes Rev. Francisco Domingos Luis Rev. Sebastião Luis Rev. Lellis de Vitoria e Souza (1945–1951) Maestro Rev. Camilo António da Conceicão Xavier (1951–1983) Maestro Rev. Dr. Lourdino Paulo Barreto (1983–1984) Rev. Tomé Bernardo Cota (1984–2007) Rev. Romeo Monteiro (2007–2013) Significance For over a century, this characteristic male Choir of young seminarians from India has proved its calibre and excellence in polyphony of different genres, secular as well as religious. Following the directives given by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, the Santa Cecilia Choir has stood out in preserving and developing the rich musical patrimony of the Catholic Church. The Choir is proud of a rich repertoire of religious and secular music in Latin, English and the vernaculars: Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, Verdi, Schubert, Palestrina, Praglia, Rossini, Liberto, Martins, Xavier, Barreto, Paranjoti, etc. In recent years, it has also performed pop-polyphonic music. Traditionally, every year, the Choir sings a solemn polyphonic mass in Latin, interspaced with Gregorian chant, on the occasion of the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Patron of the Seminary Church. Perhaps, today, it is the only exponent of Gregorian chant in India. Various choral recitals, featuring religious and secular music are held in the seminary on different occasions. On 31 July 1997, the Choir celebrated the centenary of its inception, with a solemn Eucharist presided by Archbishop-Patriarch Raul Nicolau Gonsalves. The Cecilians, under the baton of Rev. Bernardo Cota, rendered Messe in G dur by Franz Schubert, besides the hymns of the mass in Konkani. Te Deum in A by Arnold Furlotti was also sung by the young seminarians. The Choir was ably supported by a string quintet, composed of seminarians. Concerts From 2007 onwards, the Choir, under the baton of Rev. Romeo Monteiro, and in association with ex-members and other music lovers, has given several well-appreciated performances of