An Easter Retreat to Study Chant, Semiology, Chironomy, or Church Documents in Sunny Florida
  • Jenny Donelson
    Posts: 243
    Of special note in this year's conference are intensive tracks in semiology, chironomy, Church documents, English chant, and priest training.

    These tracks are an excellent opportunity to study more specialized topics in a compact time-frame.

    Why not take an Easter retreat to Florida to study chant?

    If you're interested in flying to the conference, cheap airfares are usually to be found into the FLL and MIA airports. This year, we are organizing carpools from the major airports to make transportation to Ave Maria cheaper and easier.

    We hope you'll be able to join us!!


    MusicaSacra Florida - 4th Annual Gregorian Chant Conference

    Sponsored by the Florida Chapter of theChurch Music Association of America in conjunction with the Department ofMusic, Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Florida.

    Friday, April 13th – Saturday, April14th, 2012

    Ave Maria University

    www.musicasacra.com/florida

    Brochure and tentative scheduleavailable here: www.musicasacra.com/pdf/MusicaSacraConference.pdf

    The conference includes:

    Choice of Intensive Study Tracks in:
    – Gregorian Semiology
    – Gregorian Chironomy (Conducting)
    – Singing Gregorian Chant in English
    – Church Documents & Sacred Music History of the 20th and 21st centuries
    – Clergy Training

    Choice of scholae forbeginning/intermediate (men & women), upper-level men, & upper-levelwomen

    Missa cantata in the ExtraordinaryForm on Friday evening

    Closing Missa cantata inthe Ordinary Form on Saturday evening


    This two-day workshop will present beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians with rehearsals and lectures that will enrich their knowledge of Gregorian chant and its use in the RomanCatholic liturgy. The theme of this year’s conference will be the call of Pope Benedict XVI for reform in continuity with Tradition and the mutual enrichment of the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Mass as describedby the Holy Father in his 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.

    Led by a faculty of chant specialists from around the state, attendees will have opportunities for in-depth study of single topics. There will be five intensive study tracks for the study of Gregorian Chironomy (conducting), Gregorian Semiology, Gregorian Chant in English, Church Documents and History of Sacred Music in the 20th and 21st Century, and a Clergy Training Track.

    Beginning chanters will be introduced to the basics of notation and rhythm according to the classic Solesmes method. Experienced chanters will learn new repertoire and advance their understanding of rhythmic and interpretive nuance. Resources and practical methods for the cultivation of Gregorian chant in the life of the parish will also be discussed, especially in light of the new missal. This year there will be aspecial emphasis on Gregorian chant in English, along with Latin chant.

    This workshop is ideal for choir members, parish music directors, music students, teachers, parents, seminarians, priests, deacons and anyone who is interested in learning aboutthe heritage of sacred music within the Roman Catholic Church.



    Registration fees are $60 ($15 forclergy and students with ID) and include theprice of instructional materials and instruction.

    Overnight accommodations will beavailable at AMU’s Xavier Conference Center. Participants can choose amongvarious options for room and board. For prices and options, visit

    Carpools from Miami/Fort Lauderdale to the conference are also available. Visit the conference website for more details.

    Pre-registration and payment are required.
 Deadline: Friday, March 30th,2012

    Contact Information: 
Susan Treacy
    (239) 280-1668 or susan.treacy@avemaria.edu

    Faculty:

    Keynote Speaker – Susan Treacy – AveMaria University, Ave Maria, FL
    Mary Jane Ballou – Director of the Schola Cantorae, St Augustine, FL
    Jennifer Donelson – Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Jeffrey Herbert – Director of Music, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church,Sarasota, FL
    Rev. Fr. Christian Saenz, SJ – Chaplain, Belen Jesuit Prep, Miami, FL
    Edward Schaefer – University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

    To register, visit: www.musicasacra.com/florida

    Follow us on the web! http://musicasacraflorida.wordpress.com
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,368
    This looks really good and I wish you great success.
    Unfortunately for me, I am unable to attend.
  • Susan Treacy
    Posts: 10
    This year's Musica Sacra Florida conference will be a wonderful opportunity to see some "mutual enrichment" of the two forms of the Mass, as discussed by Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum.
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