Church Music, Are there any courses I can take? Options

[aspiringmusicteacher]

Hello everyone!

I have always wanted to learn more about Church Music, particularly as I am a Catholic (a lapsed one!), and it means a great deal to me. I was hoping that perhaps someone on these forums would know if there are any courses - either short of long - where I can study and learn about the music of say, the Catholic Church? I know it's a bit of a vague question in that Church Music encompasses a lot, but I'm thinking along the lines of early Gregorian Chant and it's development through the Church.


Thanks!

[oboist]

You could try contacting the National Network of Pastoral Musicians - although an ecumenical group they are, predominantly, an RC organisation and run a lot of training events, regional gatherings etc. They've got a large convention coming up this summer. See here

Alternatively, you could try the Royal School of Church Music see here who have national and regional events too and run short/long courses to learn more about church music.

Our church makes use of the Music and Worship Foundation see here but they do tend to specialise in the the more contemporary end of church music. I think NNPM and also Decani Music (who publish/stock a lot of music for the RC church) might be a good place to start - see here for Decani.

I think the Royal College of Organists do some courses but others here would be more able to say on that one than I am.

Hope you find what you're looking for. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[itchy1]

You could also get in touch with the Society of Saint Gregory. It's a mainly (but not entirely) RC group of people who are involved with music in parish churches. I've been around a couple of their summer schools and have just been involved with an SSG pilgrimage group. They're a friendly bunch and I'm sure that they would make you welcome. The summer school this year is at Worth Abbey right at the end of July. It's worth going to as the input is very high quality and they're a nice group of people to be around. Mostly they're interested in more modern music which can be used in ordinary churches but last year they did have sessions on the use of the vernacular in the chant and they have input for things like choir direction (I think), organists, composing etc. They've got a website if you're interested, but I don't know how to post a link!


And no I'm not on a retainer!!!

[jod]

I was going to back up what Oboist said and state that here the Angicans excel!

The RSCM run lots of events on singing in choirs, and choir training. Your local diocese will have an office and and will be able to advise you.

I'm not up to speed on what is going on in RC Churches, but I see and music going on in the local catholic churches.

[itchy1]

Another thought has occurred to me through the afternoon. You could try the Panel of Monastic Musicians. They are a group of RC/CofE religious (mainly)involved in music in religious/monastic communities. They have a conference each year. They don't have a website, but if you're interested I think that I could find a name of someone to contact. Some of the larger enclosed Benedictine monasteries use the chant every day and are very knowledgeable, but they don't run courses...

[songsinger]

You could also get in touch with the Society of Saint Gregory. It's a mainly (but not entirely) RC group of people who are involved with music in parish churches. I've been around a couple of their summer schools and have just been involved with an SSG pilgrimage group. They're a friendly bunch and I'm sure that they would

Just search SSG and make sure you look at their forum too. Yes, a really friendly crowd who are a great support for parish music leaders.

[Susie]

Depending on where you are in London, you could investigate your most local diocese for details of their music committee, for example, if you look in the Westminster yearbook, I'm sure there will be details of who to contact. Northampton diocese used to run courses similar to the thing you would want - my husband was involved, but things have moved on now, and I'm not sure who's organising the music for our diocese.

A lot of Catholic churches have to rely on guitarists to provide the music these days, so proper psalm singing tends to go by the wayside, more's the pity. Good luck in your hunt.