Sing Like a Catholic: The Patrimony of Catholic Sacred Music
Workshops on the background and core skills of the Church’s authentic liturgical song

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Sacred Heart Academy of Grand Rapids will offer a series of summer workshops, “Sing Like a Catholic,” exploring the Church’s teachings about liturgical music and introducing the core skills in singing and appreciating Gregorian chant and other great sacred music.

“The Catholic Church created much of the great music of the past two millennia, including its own, distinctive music, Gregorian chant, which the Second Vatican Council asked us to preserve and cultivate,” said Dr. Daniel Page, Director of Sacred Music, who will lead the workshops. “These musical traditions are relevant, and even vital for nurturing the faith. We’ll take a lively, interactive approach to demystifying the great patrimony of Catholic sacred music.”

Tuesday, June 23, 6:45-8:30 pm
What is Catholic Sacred Music?
An opportunity to examine the Catholic Church’s magisterial teachings on music for the sacred liturgy, with consideration of their theological, prescriptive, and proscriptive aspects. You’ll be inspired!

Thursday, June 25, 6:45-8:30 pm
Music Basics for Catholics
Learn the core skills for reading and singing music proper to the faithful in the sacred liturgy. No previous musical experience needed. Come away with a new sense of engagement and confidence.

Tuesday, July 14, 6:45-8:30 pm
Gregorian Chant for Young Adults
A lively introduction to reading and singing chant—the Church’s own music—from square notation. We’ll close the evening with a simple sung liturgy of Compline.

Thursday, July 16, 6:45-8:30 pm
Gregorian Chant Basics for Families
For children, parents, and others interested in singing Gregorian chant, this intergenerational evening will focus on the nature and core practices of sung prayer. We’ll help equip families to sing at home and in the sacred liturgy.

Tuesday, July 28, 6:45-8:30 pm
Great Works of Catholic Sacred Music
Starting in medieval Paris, we’ll traverse the most beautiful and iconic works of Catholic sacred music from the last millennium. Warning: listening to great music is habit-forming.

Thursday, July 30, 6:45-8:30 pm
What is Catholic Sacred Music? (see June 25 workshop)

Tuesday, August 4, 6:45-8:30 pm
Gregorian Chant Basics (for all ages)

Thursday, August 6, 6:45-8:30 pm
Gregorian Chant: After the Basics
You know the basic of reading Gregorian chant from square notation, but you want to deepen your knowledge and skills. You’ll leave this evening with the understanding and resources to continue growing as a chanter.

Daniel Bennett Page is Director of Sacred Music at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and a member of the faculty of Sacred Heart Academy, Grand Rapids. Known as an enthusiastic and articulate lecturer, teacher, and workshop leader, he brings to the classroom nearly 30 years’ experience as a choral conductor, music historian, college professor and administrator, and student of Catholic liturgical music. He has taught chant, polyphony, and music literature to children and adults in churches, festivals, and schools, and particularly enjoys introducing the fundamentals of music and chant in fresh, vital ways. A former Fulbright Scholar, he hold a BA in Music, a Master of Fine Arts in the Creative Arts, and a PhD in music history and analysis.