Unlock the timeless beauty of Gregorian chant through the key of modality, with the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music’s 9-part online workshop series, starting Monday, September 15, at 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET).
Whether you’re a choir member or director, this engaging Zoom-based series is designed to deepen your musical understanding and mastery of the Gregorian repertory.
I’ll begin the series with a clear, theoretical introduction to Gregorian modality, laying a strong foundation for singing the psalm tones and understanding the unique characteristics of the Gregorian repertory in each mode. Through carefully guided solfège exercises, you’ll build confidence in sight-singing, and sharpen your ear to navigate modal changes across the repertory with ease. Even if you’re new to chant notation, ease in reading will be gained through this immersion in the pitch content of the chant.
Beyond these fundamentals, you’ll also learn to design targeted warm-ups that align with the modes and musical highlights of the particular chants you’ll cover in a rehearsal, helping you make rehearsals more efficient so that the Gregorian repertory can play a greater role in the liturgies of your parish. Additionally, we’ll develop analytical skills to interpret the musical grammar and structure of the chant repertory in light of the modes, empowering you to sing and direct chants with artistry and insight, making intelligent decisions about phrasing and breath.
This workshop is ideal for anyone passionate about growing as a musician within the Church’s treasury of sacred music.
Join us! Mondays, Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 5:30–6:30 p.m. PT/8:30–9:30 p.m. ET.
If the hour for live instruction doesn’t work for you, or you’d like to be able to review each class, an optional add-on is available for archived access in perpetuity. Instruction is $60 for the 9 live sessions, and $10 extra ($70 total) for live instruction plus archived access.
