Author: Janet Gorbitz

St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Yonkers, New York is happy to announce this summer’s robust program, featuring eight graduate-level courses in sacred music and liturgy to be offered online during the summer 2021 session.

Download the brochure, with an FAQ and more information, here.

Apply here.

 

June 1–July 25 – Principles of Sacred Music
3 credits or audit, taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, 8 weeks asynchronous online + 2 days synchronous online via Zoom, July 26 and 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST

Through a survey of the history of sacred music and reading of Church and papal legislation on sacred music, students gain an understanding of the principles which shape Western sacred music and the musical structure of the Roman rite. Special focus is placed on current documents which govern music in the Church. The course also features in-depth discussion of practical issues including the formation and management of sacred music programs in parishes, active participation, progressive solemnity, the use of instruments in the sacred liturgy, resources available for music directors and choristers, and other relevant topics. 3 credits or audit.

June 1–July 13 – Introduction to Liturgy
3 credits or audit, taught by Fr. Nicholas Zientarski, synchronous via Zoom, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30–9:30 p.m. EST

This course will explore the theological, historical, and pastoral dimensions of the sacred liturgy. The history of the liturgy of the Roman rite, the role of ritual and symbol, the principles and norms articulated in the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, and the theology of the Liturgy of the Hours will be the foci of this course.

June 1–July 13 – Parish Sacred Music Program Management
1 credit or audit, taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, synchronous via Zoom, Tuesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. EST

Open to musicians and clergy from parishes of any size who are searching for inspiration and ideas as they work to expand or make changes to an existing sacred music program, this course presents best practices from model parishes and programs. Covering structures, personnel, budget, recruitment, fundraising, materials (hymnals, instruments, library, some aspects of repertoire, etc.), and other resources, the seminar aims to provide resources for parishes to consider how they might develop a program which is faithful to the mind and heart of the Church, as well as intimately linked to the nature and structure of the sacred liturgy. The ideas presented in the course afford the opportunity to plot a path forward for a parish in which the music program is both spiritually frutiful and economically sustainable, as well as invigorating for the worship, health, and life of a parish through beauty.

June 3–July 12 – Sacred Music History Seminar & Practicum: The Liturgical Movement & Sacred Music Renewal 1800–1950
2 credits or audit, taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, synchronous via Zoom, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. EST

Drawing on the rich writings of the Liturgical Movement and the intensive activity to renew sacred music during the 19th c. and first half of the 20th c., this seminar offers an in-depth study of historical documents, spiritual writings, and pieces from the Church’s treasury of sacred music. The knowledge gained from this study becomes a foundation for practice as we strive to enrich our prayer lives through theological meditations on important texts of the time as well as study musical repertoire that can be used in sacred music programs today. With an eye to choral program development and rehearsal technique, musicians will develop a working knowledge of important works from the treasury of sacred music from this era. This course is part of a five-part series, offered on a regular rotation, which focuses on different eras in sacred music history.

July 12–16 – Principles of Chant
3 credits or audit, taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, synchronous via Zoom, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST

Serving as an introduction to Gregorian chant, this course will cover neumatic notation, Gregorian modes, ear training and sight reading, vocal technique appropriate for singing chant, and Latin pronunciation. Special focus will be placed on rhythmic interpretation of the chant according to the classical Solesmes (Mocquereau) method. By the end of the class, students will have confidence singing from the Graduale Romanum, singing solfège and psalm tones, and some experience in conducting (chironomy). Additional topics introduced in the class include the history of Gregorian chant, rehearsal techniques for teaching chant to children and adult choirs, and an introduction to chant resources in English and Spanish.

July 19–23 – Advanced Seminar in Gregorian Chant
2 credits or audit, taught by Dr. William Mahrt (Stanford), synchronous via Zoom, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST

For students who have taken Principles of Chant or who sing Gregorian chant on a regular basis, this seminar presents advanced issues in the study of Gregorian chant. Focused on musical analysis for the study and singing of chant in the sacred liturgy, other topics include a study of the older neumes (semiology), important manuscripts for chant study, and an in-depth discussion of modes. Students will enrich their knowledge of the sung prayer of the Church through study which aims to bear fruit in conducting and teaching Gregorian chant to parish and school choirs.

July 28–30 – Medieval & Renaissance Music Notation Practicum
2 credits or audit, taught by Prof. Charles Weaver (Juilliard), synchronous via Zoom, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST

Working from original manuscripts, students will study different styles of notation from Late Medieval and Renaissance choral music, including Dasein notation, the notation of the Notre Dame School of Polyphony, Franconian notation, Ars Nova notation, and notation of Renaissance partbooks. With an eye to enabling students to make their own editions from original manuscripts, elements of applied music theory from the eras of the studied notations will inform student work.

August 2–6 – Teaching Gregorian Chant to Children
3 credits or audit, taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, synchronous via Zoom, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST

This 5-day intensive course will present pedagogical techniques for teaching Gregorian chant to children and is ideal for Catholic schoolteachers, directors and teachers of religious education, directors of children’s choirs, and parents. Special emphasis will be placed on the Ward Method, a comprehensive music education method designed to teach sacred music to children. Other topics addressed will include resources for teachers, other teaching approaches, and the logistics of developing a sacred music program for children.

Faculty
Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka (St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie)
Dr. William Mahrt (Stanford University)
Prof. Charles Weaver (Juilliard)
Fr. Nicholas Zientarski (St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie)

Tuition and Fees

50 % discount for 1st-time students or musicians in the St. Cecilia Academy for Pastoral Musicians.

The St. Cecilia Academy is open to all parish and school musicians who obtain a letter of support from their pastor.

Full price:
$500 to audit or
$500 per credit hour
(classes are either 2 or 3 credits)

All 2021 classes will be offered online via Zoom.

Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Questions?
Contact Associate Dean,
Dr. Donna Eschenauer
Donna.Eschenauer@archny.org | 
(914) 367–8280

The International Center for Ward Method Studies at the B. T. Rome School of Music, Drama and Art at The Catholic University of America is pleased to announce that their annual summer courses will be offered in person for Summer 2021, June 21-25.

A limited number of scholarships are still available.

For more information about the program and registration, visit their website here:

The Sacred Music Institute of America (SMIA) will offer three 10-week online courses during the Spring 2021 semester, which begins on 18 January.

Each course includes ten video lectures, plus weekly opportunities to ask questions and gain additional experience through live Zoom sessions. For more information on the courses, as well as the Institute’s certification tracks for church musicians and chant training program for clergy, visit www.sacredmusicinstitute.org.

Chant II (taught by Dr. William Mahrt): A ten-week intermediate course in Gregorian chant for singers, directors, and lovers of the liturgy and its music. It will presume a rudimentary knowledge of reading Gregorian notation, and will proceed from the reading and singing of chants in Latin from the antiphons of the Divine Office to the chanted propers of the Mass.

Review of notation and Latin pronunciation will be the foundation for the discussion of textual and musical the chants: mode, tessitura, contour, density, text expression, and co-ordination with liturgical action. Beginning with the simpler chants, psalm antiphons, musical, liturgical, and spiritual aspects of each genre will be studied in turn: introits, communions, offertories, graduals, alleluias, and tracts, with emphasis on the processional propers.

Some chants of the Ordinary of the Mass will be included as well. Aspects of the liturgical year will be addressed, with an emphasis upon the upcoming Holy Week.

History of Sacred Music (Taught by Emily Lapisardi): A ten-week course which will be taught by Emily Lapisardi, director of music at the Catholic Chapel at the United States Military Academy (West Point, NY).

This ten week course provides a survey of the historical role of music in worship from its roots in the Old Testament to the present day, exploring landmark repertoire within the framework of turning-points in ecclesiastical history. While the class will focus primarily on Christian music in the western world, cross-cultural influences will also be explored.

Music Theory II (Taught by Emily Lapisardi): This course builds upon the fundamental skills and concepts explored in Theory I; therefore, some prior knowledge of the subject matter is required.

Topics include: harmonic analysis, seventh chords, harmonization of melodies, transposition, modulation to closely related keys, non-harmonic tones, modes and neumes, basics of counterpoint, and musical forms.

Tuition for each course is $850. Register now by visiting the SMIA website.

 

AVAILABLE NOW FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING at the CMAA ONLINE SHOP.

SACRED TREASURES OF CHRISTMAS is a new recording from the boys of the London Oratory Schola, directed by Charles Cole. The Schola is one of the top boys’ choirs in the world and sings at the London Oratory. The boys, aged 8-18, are all pupils at The London Oratory School.

The Choir’s Director, Charles Cole said: “We are delighted to present our newest album which we recorded earlier this year. ‘Sacred Treasures of Christmas’ focuses on some of the most iconic polyphonic works written for the Christmas liturgy. These motets, rendered so beautifully by the greatest masters of the Renaissance, capture the awe, mystery and effusive joy of the Nativity.”

Sacred Treasures of Christmas, a sequence of music for Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas, continues the ‘Sacred Treasures’ series, an anthology of sacred repertoire drawn from the liturgical motets which the boys sing at the London Oratory.

Order now for immediate shipment.

For more information, see our earlier post.

The Sacred Music Institute of America is offering a series of lectures called Sacred Music Saturdays.

Information about the lecture this weekend:

“Gregorian Chant in the Liturgy” by Dr. William Mahrt

The word sacred means set aside, in this case reserved for the particular purpose of Divine Worship. Pope St. Pius X defined three characteristics of liturgical music, sacred, beautiful, and universal. Music is sacred which sets the texts prescribed by the liturgy, such as processional texts, scripture lessons, meditation chants, hymns of praise and petition and expression of belief.

Their musical style conveys the sense of the action which they accompany. Music is sacred which unites a diverse congregation in a unity joining their voices and lifting their hearts to a common purpose.

Sacred music must be beautiful, because it addresses almighty God, who is the ultimate Beauty. The beauty of sacred music creates an experience of the holiness of God, a foretaste of the Beatific Vision of God, which is the end of each human life. Sacred music thus has a transcendent purpose, which is expressed in transcendent styles. Sacred music is universal when it is received and understood by the body of worshipers as expressing the order and purpose in the liturgy, when it is experienced as being our own, when we sing it by heart, from our very own being.

Register now to receive lecture access and a link for a live Question & Answer session with Dr. Mahrt on Saturday, 21 November.

REGISTER NOW

The Sacred Music Institute of America also offers other courses such as:

Chanting the Liturgy: Musical Enrichment for Priests and Deacons

As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting quality sacred music in every parish, the Sacred Music Institute of America LLC is excited to announce its new individualized training opportunities for priests and deacons.  This program will provide flexible, personalized, and comprehensive training in chanting the liturgy from the basics of vocal production; it focuses on the celebrant’s chants in the Roman Missal.   It is inspired by the thorough musical curriculum offered at the Pontifical College Josephinum, where the Institute’s founder, Dr. Jason Keefer, is Director and Assistant Professor of Sacred Music.

The Institute’s training opportunities for clergy include:

• Online seminars on vocal technique, reading Gregorian and modern notation, Church documents pertaining to music, clergy/musician collaboration, music selection and planning, and liturgical chant.  Watch the lectures on your own schedule!
• One-on-one online vocal coaching with our experienced faculty of liturgical musicians.  Work on vocal technique and presentation through exercises and study of specific chants.  These sessions are fully customizable to your needs and abilities. Coaching is also available on more challenging repertoire such as the Gospel readings and the Exsultet.  Five, ten, and fifteen lesson packages are available.
• Optional courses on the history of sacred music, music theory, and intensive Gregorian chant study.

While the Church’s documents on music in the liturgy place a strong emphasis on the role of the clergy in singing the liturgy, not every priest or deacon has the background or training to feel self-assured doing so.  The Institute seeks to foster chanted Masses in parishes throughout the country by helping priests and deacons to improve their skills and confidence in chanting.  This training is hand-tailored to your specific needs, flexible to accommodate your busy schedule, and private—you will work directly with your vocal coach and also have access to pre-recorded lectures by our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty.

To learn more about all of the Sacred Music Institute’s offerings, including monthly seminars and certification programs for music directors, organists, choir directors, and cantors, please visit https://www.sacredmusicinstitute.org/chanting-the-liturgy-priests-deacon or call 614.395.7783.