• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“If we do not love those whom we see, how can we love God, Whom we do not see?” Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

  • Our Team
    • Views from the Choir Loft • “Our Team”
    • Our Editorial Policy
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Guillaume Couture Gregorian Chant
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Mass in Honor of Saint Noël Chabanel
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Basilica Music Academy

Fr. David Friel · June 30, 2013

HEN THE EXPLANATORY EMAIL ARRIVED the other day, I was very pleased. In the memo, the Office for Liturgical Music of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced its new “Basilica Music Academy,” basically a summer school for church musicians. This summer school, however, is not punitive, but voluntary, designed to further, broaden, and polish the parish musician’s skills. It will be based at our Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul.

What will they offer? The curriculum focuses mainly on voice and organ lessons, with the option for private or semi-private (two or three people) sessions. The emphasis of the vocal studies will be technique and sacred repertoire, both solo and choral. For organists, the instructors will focus on playing technique, service playing, improvisation, and repertoire.

The Basilica Music Academy is just the newest development in the music department of my home Archdiocese. There are several other recent improvements for which Dr. John Romeri, Fr. Dennis Gill, and our worship office staff should be highly commended. Begun in 2011, the “Concerts at the Cathedral” series has brought an impressive string of national and international artists to perform in our cathedral, which is a magnificent acoustical space. The Association of Church Musicians in Philadelphia (ACMP), which has existed for many years, has been gaining momentum and undergoing serious renewal that is benefiting its membership in extraordinary ways. Furthermore, Philadelphia has long sponsored an Archdiocesan Boys Choir, but we now boast also an Archdiocesan Girls Choir and an adult Archdiocesan Choir.

If you live in the Philadelphia area, or if you are simply interested, click here for a flyer with more information on the new Academy.

Good things are happening musically here. We still have a long way to go toward reintroducing chant to our parishes, but some foundations have been laid for a renewed appreciation for music that is truly sacred. Are similar things happening in other Dioceses?

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“During Lent…the use of musical instruments is allowed only so as to support the singing. Nevertheless, Laetare Sunday (the Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities and Feasts are exceptions to this rule.”

— ‘Roman Missal, 3rd Edition (2011)’

Recent Posts

  • What Ever Happened to Advent?
  • An Important Anniversary
  • (Advent, 2nd Sunday) • Introit “Pópulus Sion” Sung According to the Official Rhythm
  • Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
  • PDF Download • “Lo! He comes with clouds descending” (Advent Hymn) — A Catholic Version!

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.