Here is a nice review of one of Saulnier's seminars from the New Liturgical Movement.

Very well said, Angela; I think we were in the same class (2008, right?). I agree with your comments about the class--a great experience, and a very knowledgeable teacher, but not so practically oriented, and not following the methods of Mocquereau or Gajard. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful experience. An important part of the week was assisting daily at Mass and Office in the Abbey, which made the week like a retreat for me. Also, there's an Abbey of nuns within a short walk that also sings beautiful chant.

I didn't realize about the mold problem. Because of the cloister, accomodations are easier for men, who can lodge in the monastic guest house and have meals with the monks. We met the Abbot one afternoon after lunch. I wonder if the sisters' Abbey Ste Cecile has a guest house for women? There's also a rather expensive hotel across from the Abbey.

Well, I am thrilled to say that I will probably be attending the class this year! My pastor wants to send me. Yeah!

For those of you who have been before, three questions-
1. I had heard that during one year there was not a whole lot of singing and more Dom Saulnier reading through his book. Is that the usual form of instruction, or do you remember a lot of singing and actual application of semiological ideas?

2. Is there any private study, or is it all group?

3. Do you recall a ballpark figure for meal expenditures? (Its been seven years since I was in Europe.)


Angela, I'm glad you said something about the mold, which affects me greatly.

Thanks, Jeffrey. The only thing I can possibly imagine is that your employers don't think you need any further training, while I still do.

I will certainly relay to my FSSP employer how much more valuable the Solesmes experience could be for me if you were able to attend, my sincere feelings.

MA - unfortunately, I can't give you an estimate for food; even if I had the figure, it would have changed by now because of the exchange rate fluctuation. There were no individual tutorials, and we did a lot of singing together. I don't recall him reading out of his book at all. He went through a little bit of semiology because there were questions about it, but he admitted that a lot of it was guesswork, and emphasized that understanding it doesn't help much with the practical singing. I hope this helps. It seems to me that each session has its own unique flavor, depending on the participants and what he wants to do.

Singing Mum,

When I went, there was no text book reading, yet a good bit of the material was covered. A fair portion of the class time was driven by questions from participants, which got lengthy answers and further discussion. Each participant was asked to prepare and conduct a chant, and Dom Saulnier provided comment and guidance. In preparing these pieces, participants spent time outside class forming scholas and preparing to conduct...and just enjoyed singing together on the banks of the Sarthe river.

Dom Saulnier's a wealth of knowledge about chant manuscripts, history, and medieval musicology was fascinating. One tidbit I recall was a 9th century manuscript that listed the singers' fees for different chants (the soloist for the Gradual received the most!).

The prospect of singing with MA, Singing Mum and seeing a place I've heard about all my life were irresistable. I signed up. Now all I have to do is figure out where the heck it is...

Any idea if there are still spots available for this? or how to find out? I tried sending an e-mail to the address listed for Fr. Saulnier, but I have not heard anything back. :(

While I'm no Singing Mum, I'm surprised that incantu hasn't heard back from Dom Saulnier. He was pretty prompt, communicating at palmus@free.fr

I'm still waiting to hear from the nuns at the guest house, who carefully telephoned for my email address (in response to my fax) while I was out of town two weeks ago.

Monastic time may not be the same as mine.

I'll be arriving in Paris on the16th of July. And since I was last there shortly after the fall of the Bastille, I'm quite excited.

MJ, I still haven't gotten my ticket, waiting on a few variables. We still can talk about housing, so email/ call me if you want. I am thrilled to experience this with the incredibly fun and savvy MJ Ballou. :)

I am still going, just to be clear.

You wanna borrow my kurta?

(Save the Liturgy, save the World)

Solesmes is very sweet village. It has a bakery....and that's about it. The closest grocery store is in Sable (3 to 4 miles where the train station is). The guest house used to have a fully equipped kitchen...double check with the sisters, but it's great as long as you have food to cook!
The dress code is "normal"!!!! You may even bring your bathing suit to swim in the river Sarthe if the temps go to high! There is an access right next to the "Marbrerie".
There is very little traffic and it takes less than 5 min walk to go from St Peter(monks) to St Cecile (sisters).
If you need to stretch your legs, you might consider walking to Notre Dame du Chene, beautiful place of Pilgrimage with very nice church...less than an hour!
Enjoy your trip!
FP

Pedro, I'm beginning to fear we missed the boat by not having registered months ago. :(

I attended Dom Saulnier's instruction at Solesmes in August 2008. It was a wonderful week. Students are supposed to take a Graduale Triplex. We spent most of the week singing just three chants. He explained the semiology, which was very interesting, and we copied some of the markings. When asked, some of the American students volunteered to conduct a piece- - using, of course, the arsis/thesis we have learned from the classical Solesmes method. They were "encouraged" to forget about arsis/thesis. It would be helpful if you could read a couple of his books before you go: GREGORIAN CHANT: A GUIDE; and perhaps THE GREGORIAN MODES.

As for accommodations, we women had the choice of living in the quarters near the Marberie or staying in the hotel across the street. Since it has been a few decades since I had slept in a dormer, I opted for the hotel for the entire week. It was pricey- - about $700- 800 for room and board for the week. The food was outstanding, of course, and the room was pleasant (and I didn't have to shop and cook!) Our reservations for the class were arranged through Diane (last name escapes me) but I understand that she is no longer doing that. There was no mention of the guest accommodations at the nuns' residence, which sounds like a pleasant alternative. Neither was there any mention of being able to take meals at the monastery guest quarters.

Susan Treacy was there the year before. If you are attending the Colloquium, you might want to chat with her.

All of you who are going, have a wonderful time!

Elizabeth Poel

I am getting so excited about this!!!
Anyone else?

And btw, the abbey was founded 1,000 years ago this year! It has not been continuously occupied, war and all that... but how delightful to be entering in to a 1,000 year old enterprise.