03/12/2023
Thank you to all of our participants at this Saturday's Day of Prayer and Reflection for Liturgical Ministers with Fr. Richard Veras! We hope that you found the day enriching, prayerful, and wonderful opportunity to engage in Christian fellowship with your fellow liturgical ministers throughout the Archdiocese of New York. A special thanks to St. Joseph's Seminary for hosting us. May you have a Blessed Lent!
11/30/2022
The Archdiocese of New York's Liturgy Office and Liturgical Music Commission celebrated the pipe organ last Saturday with ‘Organfest’ at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York. Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.) was the featured speaker and followed up with a moving concert in the main chapel. See (and hear!) more below!
Music Worthy of Prayer: Organfest at St. Joseph's Seminary
St. Joseph's Seminary celebrated the pipe organ last Saturday with 'Organfest' in Yonkers, New York. Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the…
11/03/2022
Last chance to Register! Organfest!
Are you a church musician – or merely a fan of great organ music? Join us this fall for a day dedicated to celebrating and enjoying the “king of instruments” – the pipe organ! You’ll hear a keynote address given by Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.); enjoy breakout sessions with some of New York’s finest Catholic musicians; and enjoy concert given by Dr. Latona on the Seminary’s 41-rank Casavant Frères pipe organ.
Registration and ticket information:
OrganFest!
Celebrate the pipe organ with a keynote address, breakout sessions, and concert with Dr. Peter Latona!
10/24/2022
Organfest 2022 - Register Today!
Are you a church musician – or merely a fan of great organ music? Join us this fall for a day dedicated to celebrating and enjoying the “king of instruments” – the pipe organ! You’ll hear a keynote address given by Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.); enjoy breakout sessions with some of New York’s finest Catholic musicians; and enjoy concert given by Dr. Latona on the Seminary’s 41-rank Casavant Frères pipe organ.
Registration and ticket information:
OrganFest!
Celebrate the pipe organ with a keynote address, breakout sessions, and concert with Dr. Peter Latona!
09/11/2022
Are you a church musician – or merely a fan of great organ music? Join us this fall for a day dedicated to celebrating and enjoying the “king of instruments” – the pipe organ! You’ll hear a keynote address given by Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.); enjoy breakout sessions with some of New York’s finest Catholic musicians; and enjoy concert given by Dr. Latona on the Seminary’s 41-rank Casavant Frères pipe organ.
Registration and ticket information: http://organfest.eventbrite.com
08/28/2021
Best practices for 21st century music ministry!
Join us for a discussion on best practices in the area of pastoral music ministry, focusing on the search process for new parish musicians and how to navigate clergy–musician relationships. How should a musician best approach their job as a new music minister? What are the ingredients for success in a music ministry program? How can the process of arranging weddings, funerals, and occasional services be streamlined? What are some best practices for finding, hiring, and keeping a great music minister? These topics and many more will be discussed during this two-hour online workshop, presented by the Archdiocese of New York’s Liturgy Office.
More info and tickets ($15): singanewsongworkshop.eventbrite.com
02/26/2021
New archdiocesan Guidelines for Music at First Holy Communion and Confirmation Liturgies with Children:
https://tinyurl.com/2tzxyuo5
04/25/2020
Summer Online Sacred Music Courses!
Take up to 13 online graduate credits in sacred music through St. Joseph's Seminary this summer. Join Drs. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, Crista Miller, and Timothy McDonnell for a great lineup.
50% discount on tuition (credit or audit) available if you're a parish or parochial school musician!
https://www.dunwoodie.edu/dunwoodie-music-classes
Principles of Sacred Music
Through a survey of the history of sacred music and reading of Church and papal legislation on sacred music, students gain an understanding of the principles which shape Western sacred music and the musical structure of the Roman rite. Special focus is placed on current documents which govern music in the Church. The course also features in-depth discussion of practical issues including the formation and management of sacred music programs in parishes, active participation, progressive solemnity, the use of instruments in the sacred liturgy, resources available for music directors and choristers, and other relevant topics. Asynchronous on-line June 1–July 26, synchronous (live) online July 27 and 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fulfills course requirements for the St. Cecilia Academy certification. Taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.
Principles of Chant
Serving as an introduction to Gregorian chant, this course will cover neumatic notation, Gregorian modes, ear training and sight reading, vocal technique appropriate for singing chant, and Latin pronunciation. Special focus will be placed on rhythmic interpretation of the chant according to the classical Solesmes (Mocquereau) method. By the end of the class, students will have confidence singing from the Graduale Romanum, solfège, and psalm tones, and some experience in conducting (chironomy). Additional topics introduced in the class include the history of Gregorian chant, rehearsal techniques for teaching chant to children and adult choirs, and an introduction to chant resources in English and Spanish. Synchronous (live) online July 13–17, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fulfills course requirements for the St. Cecilia Academy certification. Taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.
Conducting and Group Vocal Pedagogy for the Parish Music Director
Strategies and practice in conducting and teaching healthy vocal production to amateur singers. Synchronous (live) online July 29–31, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Taught by Dr. Timothy McDonnell.
Introduction to the Organ for Pianists
Essential knowledge and practice with registration, good technique, pedaling, hymn- and service-playing, and appropriate repertoire. Synchronous (live) online August 3–7, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00-6:00 p.m. Taught by Dr. Crista Miller.
Teaching Gregorian Chant to Children
This 5-day intensive course will present pedagogical techniques for teaching Gregorian chant to children and is ideal for Catholic schoolteachers, directors and teachers of religious education, directors of children’s choirs, and parents. Special emphasis will be placed on the Ward Method, a comprehensive music education method designed to teach sacred music to children. Other topics addressed will include resources for teachers, other teaching approaches, and the logistics of developing a sacred music program for children. Synchronous (live) online July 20–24, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.
Tuition
50 % discount for 1st-time students or musicians in the St. Cecilia Academy for Pastoral Musicians.
The St. Cecilia Academy is open to all parish and school musicians who obtain a letter of support from their pastor.
Full price: $500 to audit, $500 per credit hour (some classes are 2 credits, others are 3 credits)
FAQ available here: https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/…/Summer%20Sacred%20M…