In the Spring, what would be pros and cons for Easter season (after Easter) vs. ordinary time? Would it likely be difficult to schedule conductors then? Any particularly great music to recommend for such a time of year (remember, we are talking beginning schola -- getting better, but still mainly beginners -- some of our people are getting pretty good at reading neumes, but haven't a clue about modern notation, so the polyphony has to be really simple, too).

Another question along the same lines of my first question... in order to help the parishioners to learn more of the basics, we have discussed the possibility of offering a short (2 hours or so) mini workshop intended for parishioners to learn to sing the ordinaries, Mass responses and the basics of reading the notation. We thought of offering it on a weekend afternoon or morning and leading this effort ourselves. Any thoughts on this? Have others tried this idea with their own parishes?

Also, your mention of having the schola members attend other workshops is something we have also been trying to do... unfortunately, there aren't that many scheduled, particularly in our near area. Luckily, we aren't too terribly far from Auburn. One thought we have had is that it may be more cost-effective for us to have one speaker come here to train our entire schola (plus encourage interest in others in the area at the same time and thus help with recruitment) than to send several members elsewhere (travel costs, etc.). We are trying very hard to shorten our learning curve.

Wish I could take 3 weeks and go to learn myself... maybe when the kids are bigger :) Don't think our paid musicians would be interested... just got a big announcement to the entire choir distribution list giving info. about all the upcoming NPM events.

Thanks for the information. I have emailed Fr. Ruff for more information about the schedule this coming summer. Do you know more information about just how basic or advanced the workshops are?

janetgorbitz

Best to contact Fr. Ruff r/t what's covered in the 'basics' course. The 'advanced' course emphasized interpretation based on the notation of the early neumes in the Graduale Triplex. It also included the evaluation of various schools of chant interpretation, melodic correction (semiological approaches) of the published editions, use of chant in the postconciliar liturgy & rehearsal and conduction techniques.

This was in 2005. Since Summorum Pontificum he might cover the EF liturgy, who knows. The semiologic material was interesting and presented as an option, not a 'dogma'.

Just before the course began, Fr. Ruff offered an optional (free) review of Gregorian Chant basics for
advanced course participants. It presumed one already knew the basics & just wanted to make sure.

When you hear for Fr. Ruff, I'd be interested in how he structures his courses these days.

Jan - Good to hear your report on Fr. Ruff's course. You seem to adopt a balanced approach when looking at the scholarly value of semiology, and the practical value of using the Solesmes method with your choir.

I use the Meinrad fonts.

Here is the reply from Fr. Ruff... an excerpt:

Thanks for writing. Yes, I am offering basic chant I and then more advanced chant II. We will start Sunday, July 20, 7-9 pm, and then Chant I will run Mon-Wed, either all morning or all afternoon (it’s not set yet), but whichever it is, there will be optional singing practice either in the morning or in the afternoon when the class is not meeting. So that means each day there is 2 ½ hours of class and 1 ½ hours of singing practice. There will be suggested readings and also CDs to listen to for those who want more to do. This class will run for sure on Wednesday morning; then Chant II will start Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm. It will have a similar schedule – a mixture of class and optional singing practice, and will conclude with all-morning class on Saturday. The details of this and exact times may be adjusted slightly – but for now, you have the dates and the basic times. I would suggest that, if you’re interested, you put it in your calendar, and then in about March write me again for registration information and I will direct you to the admissions office for that.



Oh – and do spread the word to others who are interested. I think this will be a good opportunity to acquire, in one week, a pretty solid overview of Gregorian chant and real confidence in singing it well.

janetgorbitz - Thank you for your f/u posting from Fr. Ruff. Good to here he continues with his work I learned a lot from both the course and the person!