Sacred Music Colloquium XVIII

The Church Music Association of America

An authentic updating of sacred music can take place only in the lineage of the great tradition of the past, of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony.
[Pope Benedict XVI, June 24, 2006]

Seven Days of Musical Heaven
June 16-22, 2008
Loyola University, Chicago IL

Gregorian Chant and Polyphony have been called the most beautiful music this side of Heaven. But as Pope Benedict XVI has said, it is also integral to Catholic liturgical life and should be heard and experienced with wide participation in every parish.

The Church Music Association of America is working to bring about this ideal with its famed Sacred Music Colloquium, June 16-21, 2008, held at Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois.

• Training in Gregorian chant and the Renaissance choral tradition
• Daily liturgies at the Madonna della Strada Chapel
• Full coursework on conducting, organ improvisation, vocal technique, music history, the theology of worship and pedagogy
• Fellowship with outstanding musicians from around the country
• Rehearsals in outstanding facilities, beautiful campus that sits right on Lake Michigan, and residency in apartment-style dormitories
• Catered meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Early registration recommended: last year, the program filled to capacity two months ahead of time.

The singing of the Church comes ultimately out of love. It is the utter depth of love that produces the singing. Cantare amantis est says Saint Augustine, singing is a lover's thing. In so saying, we come again to the Trinitarian interpretation of Church music. The Holy Spirit is love, and it is he who produces the singing. He is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit who draws us into love for Christ and so leads us to the Father.
[Pope Benedict XVI]

Among the faculty:

Horst Buchholz Cathedral Choirmaster; Conductor, Denver Philharmonic, Denver, Colorado

William Mahrt Lecturer and Editor of Sacred Music; Stanford University, Stanford, California

Scott Turkington Organist and Choirmaster, Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Stamford, Connecticut

Kurt Poterak Master of the Choristers, Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia

David Hughes Composer and Organist, Saint Mary Church, Norwalk, Connecticut

Wilko Brouwers Choirmaster, Music Academy of Arnhem, The Netherlands

Fr. Robert Pasley Pastor and Musicians, Mater Ecclesia Church, Berlin, New Jersey

Richard Rice Composer and Author of Communio: Psalms and Antiphons, Alexandria, Virginia

Arlene Oost-Zimmer Director and Author, Saint Cecilia Schola, Auburn, Alabama

Susan Treacy Professor and Director, Ave Maria University, Naples, Florida

Fr. C. Franck Phillips Pastor and Musician, Saint John Cantius Church, Chicago, Illinois

Sessions:

• Polyphony rehearsals featuring music of the masters of the Golden Age
• Instruction in reading and singing chant in Gregorian notation
• Daily sung Mass at the campus chapel
• Field trip to Saint John Cantius parish
• Sung Morning and Evening Prayer
• Lectures on the theology of sacred music by world-renowned experts
• Roundtable discussions in pastoral liturgy
• Polyphonic Coffeehouse: form your own quartet and pick the music
• Organ master class
• Choral conducting and vocal training
• Priest training for singing the Mass
• New Music Reading Session
• Receptions and social hours
• Annual meeting of the Church Music Association of America
• Liturgical resource table, with books available
• Polyphonic repertory for your parish

Cost:

Full program (with single-occupancy room and meals): $675

Full program (with double-occupancy room and meals): $575

Daytime only: $360

Deposit only (for any option): $75 [balance due May 15, 2008]

Registration and Colloquium information:

CMAA Colloquium Registration
920 Sanders Street
Auburn AL 36830

General CMAA information:

Church Music Association of America
12421 New Point Drive
Harbour Cove
Richmond VA 23233

A full brochure is available here: Colloquium 2008