Category: Events

News from the Gregorian Institute of Canada

Call for Papers
CHANT: OLD AND NEW
Sixth Annual Colloquium of the Gregorian Institute of Canada
August 4-7, 2011
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Gregorian Institute of Canada has focused from its inception on performance, providing a unique opportunity for scholars and performers from Canada and around the world to share and discuss their ideas, research and experience. This year’s theme—Chant: Old and New—is inspired by a particular chant book, which makes Halifax’s Saint Mary’s University its home: the Salzinnes Antiphonal, a 16th-century Cistercian manuscript from what is now the region of Namur in modern-day Belgium. Some of the manuscript’s musical riches will be presented in concert during the conference by five-time Grammy winning composer, conductor and performer, PAUL HALLEY and members of his University of King’s College (Halifax) Chapel Choir. MARGOT FASSLER, recently appointed the Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, will be giving a plenary address and SUSAN HELLAUER, of Anonymous 4 fame, will be leading workshops in chant performance.

Submissions on any topic of chant research are welcome, but paper and workshop proposals that address the broadly conceived colloquium theme—Chant: Old and New— are particularly encouraged. Suggested topics include ‘late’ chant, however it is defined; traces of old repertories found in newer collections; old assumptions and new methodologies; ‘old’ print indices and ‘new’ digital resources for chant research; chant in the Old and New Worlds; European chant books found in the Americas or Australia; new chant books published for New World congregations; French Baroque Plainchant, including chant in Nouvelle-France; and old or new performance practices.

Please send a 250-word abstract to the program committee at igc.gic@gmail.com. Abstracts may be sent and papers presented in either English or French. Conference papers will be limited to 30 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion period. Performance practice workshops will last 40 minutes.

The deadline for proposals is February 1, 2011.

A press release from the National Catholic Youth Choir

MEDIA RELEASE

For Release: Immediate Contact: Dorothy Kantor
Saint John’s University School of Theology
September 28, 2010 (320) 363-3154 or dkantor@csbsju.edu

“One Lord, Many Traditions”
National Catholic Youth Choir

The National Catholic Youth Choir was founded in 2000 and has just finished its eleventh season. The choir is sponsored by Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary and meets on the grounds of Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota. It began under the motto Spreading the Catholic Faith Through Great Music as a response to the call of Pope John Paul II for a “new evangelization.” The choir sings music of various Christian traditions, ranging from medieval Gregorian chant to twentieth-century music and is led by world renowned choral conductor, Dr. Axel Theimer. Fr. Anthony Ruff, O.S.B., a monk of Saint John’s abbey, is the founding director and chaplain. The primary focus of the choir is liturgical, and the choir seeks to implement the directive of Vatican Council II that the “treasury of sacred music” be preserved and fostered in the modern liturgy.
On June 15, 2010 selected high school students from throughout the United States traveled to Saint John’s University to participate in the 15 day camp and tour. This year’s theme was One Lord, Many Traditions. Promoting the idea that what unites us is greater than what divides us! We celebrated the many ways of praising God and serving Christ with music from Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Moravian Brethren and Evangelical traditions.
After several days of intense choir rehearsals and camp activities the choir departed Saint John’s and began their concert tour at Sacred Heart Church in Staples, MN. The six day tour also included concerts at St. Michael’s in Grand Forks, ND, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, ND, Sacred Heart Church in Aberdeen, SD, St. Mary’s in Sioux Falls, SD and St. Bartholomew in Wayzata, MN. Daily tour and camp photos are available on our website at www.CatholicYouthChoir.org.
The last full day of camp the choir recorded a CD at Saint John’s University. This CD will be available to the general public for purchase after October 15. Please check our website after this date for ordering information.
Catholic youth going into 10th-12th grade in 2011 are strongly encouraged to apply for the June 14-28, 2011 program. Application and audition information is available online at www.CatholicYouthChoir.org or contact Dorothy Kantor at 320-363-3154 or dkantor@csbsju.edu.