Views from the Choir Loft

Summer Course in the Ward Method

Fr. David Friel · May 2, 2021

ASHINGTON, DC boasts a single university-level music school within its boundaries. That school—nestled in the “little Rome” neighborhood of Northeast DC and in the shadow of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception—is the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art at The Catholic University of America (CUA). Founded in 1929 by Justine Bayard Ward (1879-1975), the music school at CUA has a rich history.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Each summer, the International Center for Ward Method Studies at the Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art offers week-long intensive courses in Gregorian chant and the Ward Method of music instruction. The Ward Method is a classical pedagogy designed for pre-K through eighth grade music classes in Catholic schools. The school is pleased to announce that this course will be offered in person in summer 2021.

The dates for this year’s session are Monday, June 21 through Friday, June 25. A limited number of scholarships are available.

More detailed information is available on the Ward Center’s website. Anyone with questions about this program should contact Mrs. Amy Guettler Zuberbueler, M.M.E, the director of the International Center for Ward Method Studies (click here for contact information).

The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art at CUA

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

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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.—(Read full biography).

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski