HIS YEAR’S annual Sacred Music Workshop organized by the Southeastern Sacred Music, a chapter of the Church Music Association of America, will be held at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, AL. This fifth annual workshop will be held on August 9 to August 10. It is a great opportunity for singers, organists, clergy and lay music lovers to connect and to learn to sing Gregorian chant and polyphony. In the last four years, the workshop has benefited hundreds of church musicians in Southeastern United States.
Participants will have the opportunity to join a chant group and motet ensemble of their choosing, from beginner to advanced. The event will culminate with a sung liturgy Saturday afternoon. Breakout courses will be offered on a variety of topics of interest to music directors, singers, organists, and clergy. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend a free concert by the Highland Consort on Friday night.
I am really glad to see two of my former colleagues, Bridget Scott and Jonathan Eason, whom I have worked with in the very first workshop will be returning as faculty members this year. In addition, Fr. Justin Ward from the Diocese of Birmingham, Bruce Ludwick Jr. of the Cathedral of St. Paul and Dr. Frederick Teardo of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham will be on the faculty as well. Jonathan will be offering private voice lessons before the workshop begins and Fr. Ward, director of the Office of Sacred Liturgy for the diocese, will deliver the plenary address.
The $90 registration fee covers all materials as well as a coffee and lunch on Saturday. You may visit their website for more information and to register. If you are not a singer but would be interested listening to some beautiful sacred music, you may join Solemn Mass at 5pm at the Cathedral on Saturday.
