As the St. Peter Schola Cantorum gets ready to make its pilgrimage to Rome to sing in the Vatican, join us for “A Bon Voyage Concert,” part of the Advent Preludes concert series at St. Peter Catholic Church, 800 Fourth Ave. in Stevens Point. The concert takes place Friday, December 2 at 7:30 PM in the church.
The concert features the Choirs of St. Peter Catholic Church, SPASH Concert Choir, SPASH Singers, and the SPASH Chamber Orchestra. Directors are Patrick Burkhart, Cynthia Kiepert, Deborah Pionek and Kevin Morrissey.
The Advent Preludes offer opportunities for prayer and reflection through the gift of music.
The Schola Cantorum will travel to Rome for a pilgrimage to Vatican City, Florence and Assisi from January 2-9, 2012. The trip highlights include a private mass with Raymond Cardinal Burke, signing for the Wednesday General Audience and assisting the Sistine Chapel during the Epiphany liturgy, expected to be presided over by Pope Benedict XVI.
Did you know that 90% of St. Peter’s Schola Catorum is made up of teens and college students? Schola members log one to three hours a week or more in group rehearsals, in addition to singing for liturgies and special events. They do it for the praise and glory of God. It is a time of learning about sacred music and our Catholic faith, of building a family of fellow Catholics within our parish.
Now these young people hope to deepen their faith and understanding of sacred music on a pilgrimage to Rome. Would you help our youth schola members represent St. Peter’s Parish at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican? Each schola member needs to raise more than $2000. Any donation will help! If you would like to help sponsor a youth Schola member, contact Patrick Burkhart, the director of Sacred Music at the parish. If you are able to visit St. Peters, please see the display in the Saint Faustina room, where you can read more about why sacred music, and this pilgrimage, are important to each of the youth members. Thank you for helping make this spiritual and musical journey possible for our young schola members!
“Rising from the dead and sending the Holy Spirit, Jesus of Nazareh – Eternal Son of the Father – has conquered sin, death and hopelessness! (Father Kevin C. Louis, STL. Easter Letter 2010)
The music and homilies from Holy Week are available below:
Below is a selection of music from the 2008 workshop. These pieces were a part of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Saturday, October 18th. These pieces were sung by the workshop participants after only two days of preparation, under the director of Dr. Kurt Poterack.
Entrance Hymn: Praise to the Lord
Kyrie
Gloria
Alleliua
Offetory
Sanctus
Mystery of Faith
Agnus Dei
Communio
Ave Verum
Recessional
Join us next year for a hands-on journey into the timeless treasury of the official sacred music of the Church.
The Church’s Official Music for the Mass
Gregorian Chant was written exclusively for the liturgy, and is included in the official books of the Church as the music intended to accompany the Mass. The Second Vatican Council called for Gregorian chant to have “pride of place” in the liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concillium art. 116), and recommended sacred polyphony (motets written with a number of voice parts in harmony) as being well-suited to the Mass.
Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has said,
“An authentic updating of sacred music can take place only in the lineage of the great tradition of the past, of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony.”
Gregorian Chant – A Timeless Tradition
Centuries before the monks of Santo Domingo de Silos recorded their chart-topping CD, Chant, Gregorian chant was heard around the world. Just as the Latin language serves a role as the universal language of the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant serves as the Church’s musical language, crossing years and oceans.
Many Catholics, from pastors to directors of music and choir members to congregation members, are looking forward to bringing Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony to their church. But at first glance, those “square notes” (called neumes) can seem intimidating.
Attendees of this workshop will learn the basics of reading the neumes, sing Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony, and spend two action-packed days with other sacred musicians traveling this beautiful path of discovery and enjoyment of sacred music.
Please join us in October for an inspiring workshop!
The Gregorian Chant and Polyphony Sacred Music Workshop 2008 took place:
Friday October 17 from 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday October18 from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
During this workshop we:
Studied with Dr. Kurt Poterack, Gregorian Chant expert and choir director from Christendom College.
Received copies of the music you’ll be singing, and a hard-bound copy of The Parish Book of Chant, a resource you’ll use for years to come.
Learned how to read the neumes (square notes) of Gregorian chant
Sung polyphonic music from the earliest days of the Church
Prepared parts of the Mass in Gregorian chant and polyphony, then sing them during Saint Peter’s 4 PM Vigil Mass.
You will also enjoy food and fellowship with the workshop attendees. Included are:
A Friday night wine and cheese social
A sandwich buffet lunch Saturday
A homemade Italian dinner after the Saturday night Mass.
A sacred music concert Saturday night
(Dinner on Friday night is on your own. A local restaurant guide will be provided.)
This workshop is ideal for:
Music directors, choir and schola members, cantors, clergy, teachers, parents, or anyone interested in experiencing our rich heritage of sacred music.
Ability to read music is helpful but not required.
Dr. Kurt Poterack
Kurt Poterack was born in Grand Rapids, MI and attended schools in Michigan culminating in a Ph. D. in Music Composition from Michigan State University. He was a Gregorian Chant student of the late Dr. Theodore Marier,of Scott Turkington and also of Fr. Robert Skeris. He currently teaches at Christendom College where he oversees the liturgical music program, directing its three choirs and administering its newly established minor in liturgical music degree.
Discounted Accommodations for Workshop Attendees
Discounted room rates have been offered to workshop attendees by the following inns and hotels (please mention the Gregorian Chant Workshop when making your reservation):
Dreams of Yesteryear Bed and Breakfast
1100 Brawley Street, Stevens Point
715-341-4525
e-mail bonnie [at] dreamsofyesteryear.com www.dreamsofyesteryear.com Rates from $75-135 + tax
5% discount plus a free regional cookbook to workshop attendees
Dr. Kurt Poterack