Saint Gregory Institute of Sacred Music

article compiled by Gary Penkala

A message from Nick Will, Director of Liturgical Music at the Pontifical North American College in Rome: I'm very happy to announce the establishment of the Saint Gregory Institute of Sacred Music, a project I've been planning for some time now. I've got a lot of plans and ideas, so please stay tuned and offer a prayer for us when you get a chance. Also, be sure to check out our offerings for Summer, 2019 and pass them along to anyone you know who might be interested. Saint Gregory, pray for us!

This looks to be a wonderful series of workshops for those in the Pittsburgh PA area (or those who can travel there in this summer). On summer break from his duties at the Pontifical North American College (Rome), Dr. Nicholas Will presents the first events in the new Saint Gregory Institute of Sacred Music. Here's a little about Nick:

Nicholas Will is the Director of Liturgical Music at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City State, where he oversees all aspects of liturgical music, serves as principal organist, directs the Seminary Choir, and provides sacred music instructions to seminarians from throughout the United States and Australia. In addition to his duties at the Pontifical North American College, he studies improvisation at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music under Dom Theo Flury, OSB. Nicholas is currently on a leave of absence as Coordinator of the Sacred Music Program and Assistant Professor of Music at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he oversees the degree program in Sacred Music, directs the Schola Cantorum Franciscana and Franciscan Chamber Orchestra, and teaches organ, music theory, music history, Gregorian chant, and conducting courses. He has previously held director positions at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Carnegie PA, and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona PA. A graduate of Duquesne University and the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Nicholas is a past winner of the André Marchal Award for Excellence in Organ Performance (Duquesne), the Dorothy DeCourt Prize in Organ (Peabody), the Young Organists' Audition sponsored by the Pittsburgh Concert Society, and the Duquesne University Concerto Competition. He has performed as organist, accompanist, and conductor throughout the eastern United States and in Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Croatia, including national gatherings of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the Church Music Association of America. An Associate and active member of the American Guild of Organists, Nicholas also serves on the National Association of Pastoral Musicians' national Steering Committee for Organists. His recordings as an organist and conductor have been released by Navona Records and Jade Music.

The July 2019 events divide into two tracks, a series of Organ Masterclasses and choral workshops on Chant & Polyphony.

Organ Masterclasses

This is a series of 2-hour group organ lessons (masterclasses) on organ repertoire, technique, artful registration, and service playing skills. Organists of all skill levels and those new to the instrument are encouraged to enroll.

1. Tuesday, July 9 (7:00-9:00 pm) Church of the Assumption
   (Bellevue) 45 North Sprague Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15202
    
2. Tuesday, July 16 (7:00-9:00 pm) Church of the Assumption
   (Bellevue) 45 North Sprague Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15202
    
3. Tuesday, July 30 (7:00-9:00 pm) Church of the Assumption
   (Bellevue) 45 North Sprague Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15202
    
4. Tuesday, August 6 (7:00-9:00 pm) Church of the Assumption
   (Bellevue) 45 North Sprague Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15202

All Organ Masterclasses are held at the Church of the Assumption (Bellevue)

Chant & Polyphony Workshops

Designed for parish music directors, choir directors, and organists, this three-day workshop will introduce participants to chant and polyphonic repertoire in both Latin and English. Special emphasis will be placed on performance practice, the repertoire's liturgical function, and practical elements related to establishing this repertoire in a parish setting.

1. Monday, July 22, 2019
   Holy Trinity Church, Robinson Township
   • 2:00 pm: Session I: Musical Structure of the Mass; Development of Gregorian Chant
   • 3:30 pm: Session II: Basic Chant Repertoire in Latin and English
   • 5:00 pm: Rehearsal
   • 6:00 pm: Break [Eucharistic Adoration & Confessions in the church]
   • 6:30 pm: Mass for the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene (Ordinary Form)
    
2. Tuesday, July 23, 2019
   Holy Trinity Church, Robinson Township
   • 2:00 pm: Chant Rehearsal
   • 3:30 pm: Session III: Development of Polyphony and its Role in the Liturgy
   • 5:00 pm: Polyphony Rehearsal
   • 6:00 pm: Break [Eucharistic Adoration & Confessions in the church]
   • 6:30 pm: Mass for Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Ordinary Form)
    
3. Wednesday, July 24, 2019
   Saint Mary, Help of Christians Church, McKee's Rocks [Saint John of God Parish]
   • 2:00 pm: Chant and Polyphony Rehearsal
   • 3:00 pm: Session IV: Incorporating Chant and Polyphony in a Parish Music Program
   • 4:00 pm: Break
   • 4:15 pm: Chant and Polyphony Rehearsal
   • 4:45 pm: Break
   • 5:00 pm: Missa Cantata (Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, Extraordinary Form)

Monday & Tuesday workshops are held at Holy Trinity Church (Robinson Township).

Wednesday workshop is held at Saint Mary, Help of Christians Church (McKee's Rocks).

Tuition is just $100 for each track (organ or choral) — that's an extremely reasonable fee of less than $35 for choral workshops and $25 for organ masrerclasses!

For more information, visit this page: Saint Gregory Institute of Sacred Music, and register here.