GAIN this year, the Church Music Association of America (CMAA) will be hosting its Sacred Music Colloquium virtually. A week-long conference for parish musicians, directors of music, and clergy, the Colloquium is the only event of its kind, connecting singers and instrumentalists from around the United States (and beyond), offering instruction in the treasury of Catholic sacred music, and facilitating the practical implementation of chant and polyphony in the service of the liturgy. This is the signature event in the CMAA’s calendar each year.
Although the virtual format of this year’s Colloquium will limit the opportunities for fellowship and camaraderie that are such an important part of the annual gathering, a fine lineup of presenters and topics remains in force. All the details of this year’s Colloquium are presented on the event homepage.
Following much the same arrangement as last year, Colloquium 2021 will be conducted via Zoom, with presentations and opportunities for prayer during the evening hours (from 4:30 PM to 10 PM EDT). The dates for the conference will be Monday through Friday, June 21 – 25, 2021.
Alongside many familiar faces, several new presenters are joining the faculty this year. Some of the schedule’s highlights include:
Chant Modes • Nicholas Lemme
Vocal Training of the Young Voice • Dr. Lucas Tappan
Vocal Pedagogy • Dr. MeeAe Cecilia Nam
Building up the Choral Sound • Dr. Horst Buchholz
Parish Organ Techniques • Bruce Ludwick
Advanced Organ Techniques • Christopher Berry
Three plenary speakers will give keynote addresses on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights:
June 21, 2021 — Dr. William P. Mahrt (President, CMAA Board of Directors)
June 22, 2021 — Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone (Archbishop of San Francisco)
June 24, 2021 — Rev. Joseph Koterski, SJ (Fordham University)
The breakout sessions will be divided into beginner and advanced tracks. There will also be a Spanish track, with presentations concentrated on Wednesday evening.
If you have never been able to participate in a CMAA Colloquium before, this may be the year to give it a try. The registration cost is very reasonable—only $30 per day or $80 for all five days. There will also be some parts of the program made freely available to anyone who completes the Colloquium basic registration, including daily spiritual reflections from the CMAA chaplain and daily Compline.
Full information regarding Sacred Music Colloquium 2021 is available here, and registration is available here.
