Category Archives: News

National Conference: “Gregorian Chant in Pastoral Ministry and Religious Education”

• Friday, March 10 – Saturday, March 11, 2017
• St. Joseph’s Seminary (Dunwoodie), Yonkers, New York
• www.dunwoodiemusic.org/conference
• $75 registration for both days, or $50 for one-day registration
• Meal package available
• Registration deadline – February 1

What role does the Church’s treasury of sacred music play in contemporary pastoral ministry and religious education? How does one build a sacred music program of excellence which serves as an integral part of the sacred liturgy and is also effective both in drawing souls to Christ and forming people in the Catholic faith? This national conference will bring together clergy, seminarians, scholars, musicians, teachers, and Catholic school administrators to consider the place of Gregorian chant and excellent choral music in the life of the Catholic Church in America today. The conference seeks to inspire attendees with ideas for starting or continuing to develop sacred music programs of excellence in Catholic parishes and schools. The conference organizers also hope to encourage discussion about the vitality and necessity of beauty and sacred music in the catechesis and formation of Catholics, as well as in the evangelization of non-Catholics and non-practicing Catholics.

This two-day conference will feature:

• Keynote addresses by Msgr. Robert Skeris, Fr. Christopher Smith, and Mark Langley
• Presentations, workshops, and panel discussions on topics related to the conference theme
• Masses and the sung Divine Office with distinguished children’s and parish choirs
• Opportunities for informal discussions

Topics include:

• Sacred Music in Spanish-Speaking Communities
• Chant Camp for Parishes
• Pastoral Care of Musicians
• Pastoral Implications of Vernacular Chant
• Parish Youth Orchestra and Conservatory For a Diverse Neighborhood
• Mystagogical Catechesis and Sacred Music
• The Schola Cantorum as an Integral Part of the Catholic School
• A Practical Perspective in Starting an After-school Children’s Choir Program
• Gregorian Chant as a Unifying Force in Multiethnic Parishes
• Liturgical Formation in Catholic Schools
• Forthcoming English Translations of Hymnody of the Liturgy of the Hours
• Musical Literacy and Liturgy
• The Role of Beauty and Chant in Spiritual Formation
• The Dollars and “Sense” of Catholic Education
• Training Choristers according to the English Cathedral Tradition and Royal School of Church Music
• Liturgical Formation in Catholic Schools
• Gregorian Chant in a Small Rural Parish
• The Ward Method of Music Instruction

Presenters include: Dr. Mary Jane Ballou, Dr. Francis Brancaleone, Mary Ann Carr Wilson, Heitor Caballero, Colleen Crafton, Fr. Richard Cipolla, Dr. Jennifer Donelson, Fr. David M. Friel, Raymond Henderson, Dr. Aaron James, Fr. Robert Johansen, Lisa Knutson, Nathan Knutson, Alexis Kutarna, Frs. Robin Kwan and Kevin Mann, SJC, Dr. Ann Labounsky, Nicholas Lemme, Mary Catherine Levri, Dr. Crista Miller, Joel Morehouse, James Monti, Dr. Jared Ostermann, Kurt Poterack, Dr. Ronald Prowse, Laurence Rosania, Jonathan Ryan, Dr. Edward Schaefer, Dr. Samuel A. Schmitt, Fr. Innocent Smith, OP, Students of the Atonement Academy, Dr. Jay Swain, Fr. Jon Tveit, Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth, The Ward Centre of Richmond, Virginia, Nicholas Will, Gustavo Zayas, and Amy Zuberbuler.

REGISTER NOW

Make plans now to join the CMAA in Birmingham, Alabama in the New Year! The Winter Sacred Music program for 2017 will be a great way to start the new year.

Study Gregorian Chant and Renaissance Polyphony with Scott Turkington and Nick Botkins, attend breakout sessions with Dr. William Mahrt, CMAA President.

Wednesday evening features an Early Music concert with the Highland Consort.

For all the details, visit our webpage: WINTER SACRED MUSIC

Early Registration has been extended… so sign up today!

FALL SACRED MUSIC RETREAT

OCTOBER 7-8, 2016 | Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater
218 W. 12th St., Vancouver, Washington 98660

A Two-Day Introduction and Continuing Education of the Church’s Sacred Music:

The curriculum will be centered around learning the different areas of music within the Mass (Propers, Ordinaries, and sacred polyphony accessible to any choir) and enhancing the vocal technique required to attain such music. Lectures will also touch on the Sacred Liturgy as a whole, and the role music must play in returning to a proper understanding of the Mass.

REGISTER NOW

Open to all choir directors and church musicians of any level:
Tuition:
$20 for individuals
$100 for parish choirs up to 15 members
$150 for parish choirs over 15 members

Register by October 1, 2016 by visiting www.protocathedral.org/sacred-music

FULL SCHEDULE

Friday, October 7th
5:00 pm: Check-in and Welcoming
5:30 pm: Opening Lecture: The Spirit of the Sacred Liturgy, Scott Powell
6:30 pm: Sung Vespers for the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: First Rehearsal

Saturday, October 8th
9:00 am: Sung Votive Mass to the BVM by the St. James Collegium Musicum
10:00 am: Breakfast (provided) and Lecture: Singing THE Mass, not Singing AT Mass, Scott Powell
11:00 am: Voice Technique Part 1, Andrew Steele
12:00 pm: Second Rehearsal (with small break for lunch)
2:00 pm: Split Sessions: Vocal Technique 2, Andrew Steele
Q&A and Presentation for Music Directors, Scott Powell
3:30 pm: Final Rehearsal
5:00 pm: Sung Vigil Mass by all conference participants
6:00 pm: Farewell Reception

CONFERENCE FLYER

CONFERENCE LEADERS

Scott Powell – Pastoral Assistant of Music and Liturgy, Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater. Director and Organist of the St. James Collegium Musicum

Andrew Steele – Baritone and Vocal Coach, Pastoral Assistant of Faith Formation of the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater