OUR YEARS AGO, I had the privilege of joining with a group of church music directors in the South and planned the first Summer Sacred Music Workshop for musicians from the Southeastern region of the country. Four years later, this workshop has been continued annually and will happen again this summer in Charlotte, NC. Bridget Scott, a dear friend of mine who planned the very first Workshop and founded the Southeastern Sacred Music (a chapter of the Church Music Association of America), will again lead a team of presenters in this year’s workshop.
This year’s workshop will be hosted by the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Charlotte. The Summer Sacred Music Workshop will be held on July 27-28. This is the furthest north the group have been since its founding in 2015, and they are hoping to attract new participants (music directors, singers, organists, and clergy) from the area.
The annual workshop will explore on a variety of topics, with main focuses on Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony. The 2-days workshop include a Sung Vespers on Friday evening and a Mass celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Peter J. Jugis of the Diocese of Charlotte. The workshop attendees will have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in these two liturgies. During the break-outs, participants may choose to attend sessions on the following topics:
• Establishing Children’s Choirs – Training up Our Youth in the Catholic Tradition
• Composing Spanish Propers
• Do Amazing Things with a Small Parish Choir – How to get the Most out of your Singers?
• Organ Master Class on Service Playing and other Organ Literature
• Individual Voice Lessons
You can visit the website of the Southeastern Sacred Music for registration; and to find out more about the Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2018 and its presenters. The registration fee is $75 and it covers all materials as well as a light breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
This is a GREAT opportunity to learn more about the music of the Catholic Church. You will also have the chance to meet some phenomenal church musicians who share the same passion as you! DON’T MISS IT!!!
