I attended my first colloquium over the last week, and I don't believe I'm overstating when I say it was a life-changing experience.
I've been an organist and singer for a while, currently in addition to a full-time job. Over the last few months, I have begun to feel more and more that I'm being called to do even more in sacred music, perhaps even full-time. And so I attended the colloquium to help with the discernment and to challenge myself, especially because chant and polyphony aren't in my regular repertoire. In my week at the colloquium, I learned a ton, got great advice, and simply had a marvelous time. God willing, I will be back next year.
And in reflection after the colloquium, I believe it's very likely that God is calling me to do more in sacred music, and over the next few months, I will be working to make the transition from part-time church musician to full-time. I'm very excited about this, and just a little bit nervous.
My thanks to everyone who organized and attended the conference. And I ask your prayers as I continue to discern and make a plan to take this work on full-time.
It was my first as well, and I can say that I have not had a greater experience with sacred music than I did during that week. If I can swing it, I'll be in Duquesne next year too.
Unfortunately, Stim, you've posted a question mark, at least on this CPUseless. Can you send that to me in a text? Oh, and I'm taking you up on your offer: when and where does your schola in Carmel rehearse?
Unless you have a lookalike running about, it was fun chatting with you at the Colloquium. Perhaps I can identify myself as the person who spoke about billy goats, Willy Nelson, and Gilligan's Island with you. You should be able to guess.
To participate in the discussions on Catholic church music, sign in or register as a forum member, The forum is a project of the Church Music Association of America.