The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music at St. Patrick’s Seminary announces the John A. McInnes Choral Fellowship, beginning with the the summer 2026 term of graduate coursework, and the launch of our 36-credit Master of Sacred Music degree and 20-credit Post-baccalaureate Certificates in Gregorian Chant and Sacred Choral Music (pending approval from WSCUC).
The John A. McInnes Choral Fellowship was established to encourage twelve outstanding Catholic singers to exercise their musical gifts for the glory of God in the context of the sacred liturgy.
Fellows will serve as section leaders for the CISM Choral Institute, an intensive week-long graduate course held July 20–24, 2026, under the direction of CISM faculty Prof. Christopher Berry and Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.
During the Institute, participants sing daily Lauds, Mass, and Vespers, immersing themselves in the Church’s living tradition of sacred music.
In addition to their liturgical leadership, the 2026 Choral Fellows will participate in a professional recording session featuring one new work from each of the five composers enrolled in the concurrent Composition Seminar under the direction of Dr. Frank La Rocca.
Each Fellow receives:
- A $1,000 stipend
- Up to $600 in travel allowance
- Room and board for the duration of the program
Dates
Arrival: Morning of Saturday, July 18th
Departure: After 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24th. Singers are welcome to stay until the morning of Saturday, July 25th.
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to practicing Catholics of all experience levels, aged 25 years and older, including current and prospective CISM graduate students. Singers must be excellent choral musicians with outstanding sight-reading abilities.
Application
Applicants must submit:
- Application form
- Video recordings of themselves singing their voice part in two a cappella Renaissance motets of their choice
- Video recordings of themselves singing two Gregorian chants of their choice
Applications are due February 15, 2026.
