Posted on by Janet Gorbitz

St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir Tour in USA

The St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir (London, U.K.) will be making a major tour through eight cities in the U.S. during the month of April 2015.

BOSTON, MA Trinity Church Thursday 16th April 7.00pm
ATLANTA, GA Cathedral of St Philip Saturday 18th April 7.30pm
MACON, GA Vineville UMC Sunday 19th April 4.00pm
SHREVEPORT, LA First UMC Tuesday 21st April 7.30pm
HOUSTON, TX St Martin’s Episcopal Friday 24th April 7.00pm
WASHINGTON, DC National Cathedral Sunday 26th April 5.00pm
ST PAUL, MN Cathedral of St Paul Tuesday 28th April 7.30pm
VALPARAISO, IN Valparaiso University Wednesday 29th April 7.30pm

There has been a choir at St Paul’s Cathedral since 1127. Thirty boy choristers and twelve vicars choral provide music for eight sung services a week with regular recordings and broadcasts. The choir is regarded as one of the best in the world and regularly leads services of British national importance from State occasions such as the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen to the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.

For many years St Paul’s Cathedral has held a close relationship with the USA. It is home to the American Memorial Chapel and hosts the annual Thanksgiving Service for the American Community in London. Indeed it was the first British cathedral choir ever to visit the United States (in the year of The Queen’s coronation, 1953).

This tour will be the choir’s first visit to the USA in twelve years and marks the first of three visits over the next 6 years. The choir is active in communicating updates on its work. You can follow their progress via the following channels:


Twitter: https://twitter.com/StPaulsChoir@StPaulsChoir #USA2015

In case you want a preview, they will be broadcasting live over the internet on 4th Februaryvia BBC Radio 3. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss these wonderful concerts!

You can download the brochure about the tour here.

 

Posted on by Janet Gorbitz

St. Dominic Church in DC Hosts Advent Stations

The Dominican Parish of St. Dominic in Washington, DC is having its first annual Advent Stations on Saturday, December 13, at 7:00pm. Similar to an evening of lessons and carols, the night of Advent Stations will include both songs and scriptural readings relevant to Christ’s coming.

Br. Athanasius Murphy, OP, who is helping initiate this seasonal celebration, commented on the event: “This is one attempt to help Christians participate in the Church’s celebration of the Lord’s coming at a local level. We hope the night helps to prepare those coming for their celebration of Christmas.”

The setting of the Advent Stations will be in a dark church with many candles near the sanctuary. Readings and short preaching will alternate with hymns, chant, and polyphony music traditional to the Advent season. The night will conclude with a candlelit procession to a Marian altar in the church to venerate a piece of the original manger of Christ’s nativity in Bethlehem.

For a night of light
With wax candles all burning
For types and figures of Christ
Worth their lessons in learning

Come to St. Dominic’s
On the thirteenth of December
To hear songs and short readings
That tie the Season together

If you will be in the DC area on the 13th, don’t miss the opportunity to prepare for Christmas with the Dominicans…

Here is a sneak preview of one of the “O” antiphons that will be used:

Posted on by Janet Gorbitz

Workshop and Retreat – Ramona, CA

On Saturday, November 29, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Ramona, CA will offer a day-long workshop and retreat called Adventus Dona – Gifts of the Advent.

The workshop will be divided into two parts – adult, taught by Dr. John Naples, and youth – taught by Mary Ann Carr Wilson. The workshop will focus on rehearsing the chants for the Advent season in both Latin and English. The day will culminate in a sung Mass in the Ordinary form for the 1st Sunday of Advent, followed by Vespers in the Extraordinary form including Adoration and Benediction.

As a special treat for the participants, there will be a presentation by the Society of St. John Chrysostom on the vestments and vessels of the Eastern and Western Church. Additionally, John Polhamus of the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego will present an introduction to Vespers in the Extraordinary form.

A Continental breakfast, Fiesta Lunch and afternoon snack will all be provided along with a complete music booklet. Registration for the course is $40. For more information, contact the organizers by email at: music@ihmramona.org or call the parish office at (760) 789-0583. Deadline for registration is November 24th.

Posted on by Janet Gorbitz

Register for Chant Intensive or Sing the Mass by Nov. 15!

Register now for the upcoming Winter CMAA courses…

… and receive Early Bird tuition rates. If you have been considering participation in the Winter Chant Intensive or Sing the Mass courses in Phoenix this year, don’t forget to register by November 15th.
CMAA members also receive discounted tuition rates for our 2015 programs.

In January, you’ll be happy to spend time in the beautiful SS Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix, enjoying a respite from the winter weather in other parts of the country. Take part in the first ever Sing the Mass course, to be taught by Matthew J. Meloche, or this year’s Winter Chant Intensive, with Jeffrey Morse instructing.

Sing the Mass, a course for priests, deacons and seminarians (or those who work to assist them), will give clergy and seminarians the skills they need to sing their parts with confidence and beauty in the course of the liturgies. This class presupposes no musical knowledge and will be taught in a language friendly to non-musicians.

Winter Chant Intensive, a course for beginners and intermediate chanters offers full immersion into the world of Gregorian chant from the start. You will learn or review how to read and fully navigate all aspects of traditional Gregorian notation (square notes). The course will also address correct Latin pronunciation, the sound and mystery of the eight Church modes, Psalm tones and their applications, questions concerning the rhythm of plainsong, and more.

The CMAA’s winter courses will be held January 5-8, 2015 in Phoenix, AZ. Celebrate Epiphany with the Church Music Association of America!

For more information about the upcoming courses and details about registration, visit the webpage here.

Posted on by Janet Gorbitz

Colloquium XXIV is filling up…

… don’t miss out. 
 
Register today to participate in the first Colloquium to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seven days of musical heaven can be yours. Join us this year and learn from our outstanding faculty, sharing in beautiful liturgies, chant courses, polyphonic choirs, Vespers, morning prayer, plenary talks, and a wide range of topics in breakout sessions.
Enjoy the view of Indianapolis’ lovely 4th of July  fireworks display atop the Sheraton Hotel’s pool deck. 
 
The registration deadline is June 1st. For more information about the schedule, polyphonic repertory, faculty, hotel, and other details, visit our Colloquium webpage.  Make your hotel reservations at the Sheraton before June 4th to get our special Colloquium rate.

 
The clock is ticking…

Image courtesy of winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted on by Janet Gorbitz

Register Now for Summer Chant Intensive 2014

The Church Music Association of America has opened up registration for Summer Chant Intensive 2014. It will be held once again at Duquesne University at the Mary Pappert School of Music. The course will begin Monday, June 9 and finish on Thursday, June 12 with a sung Mass at the University chapel.

The instructors will be Arlene Oost-Zinner and David Hughes, both bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with participants. 

To find out more information and to register, please visit the CMAA website here.