If you are on the CMAA email news list, you have probably read the descriptions of our summer course offerings. As mentioned in the Ward Method I – That All May Sing* description, this course was added to our program this year in the hope of providing another venue for learning dedicated to the training of children. Last year during the annual Colloquium, we offered several breakout sessions and panel discussions regarding music programs for children. In the follow-up survey, we received a big request for more information and training for directors working with children’s music programs. Certainly the Ward method has been one of the most valued methods used for developing children’s choirs for many years.
While we continue to focus on children’s programs during this summer’s Colloquium (which will include a demonstration of a Ward session by Colleen Crafton), we decided to also offer a beginning Ward course concurrent with our Summer Chant Intensive this summer.
Perhaps you have perused the CMAA’s Summer Course descriptions and are wondering about the Ward Method. If you are looking for more detail about the method and why it is so powerful, please see our webpage about the Ward Method.
We hope you will help us to make this first CMAA Ward course a success and take the valuable information home to use on your own children’s choirs. Join us in Pittsburgh this summer with Instructor Scott Turkington and get started. The course will be offered at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA June 27 – July 1, 2016. Dormitory housing available. Get all the details about the course here: Summer Courses 2016.
* The CMAA Ward Course is not affiliated with the Center for Ward Studies and does not offer any official accreditation.
A conference for Catholic musicians, artists, and writers, May 19-21 in Dallas, TX, is now open for registration. “High Above the Stars: Sainthood, Beauty, and Catholic Artistic Expression” culminates with the world premiere of a 90-minute work for chorus, orchestra, and soloists by Frank La Rocca entitled “A Rose in Winter.” All events will take place on the campus of St.Rita Catholic Community, 12521 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75244.
The conference focuses on the relevance of beauty in life and liturgy, the continuing tradition of the commissioning and creation of great art by and for the Church, and the issues of sainthood in our daily lives. Attendees will also have free admission to the world premiere, an organ recital by Stefan Engels, and sung Vespers. Some meals will be provided.
Presenters will include:
–Frank La Rocca, composer
–Matthew Lickona, librettist
–Alfred Calabrese, conductor
–David Clayton, artist, and author of “The Way of Beauty”
–Fr. Michael F. DiGregorio, O.S.A, prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, and former director of the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia in Philadelphia.
–an organ recital by Stefan Engels
–masterclasses for conductors, composers, and writers
–four outstanding American soloists
SCHEDULE
The cost for the conference is unbelievably low, just $55 for all three days for the general public.
Ward I – That All May Sing
Results from our Colloquium survey last summer indicated that our membership is clamoring for more information and training about teaching children. Covering the topics in one-hour breakout sessions at a Colloquium, no matter how valuable, isn’t sufficient time to allow participants to gain the skills needed.
In response, for the first time, we will be offering a beginning course in the Ward method* concurrent with our Chant Intensive course.
The five-day course will be taught by Scott Turkington, providing training to allow participants to teach groups of children using these tried and true methods. Read the entire description at our Summer Chant webpage.
Gain the skills and tools you need to begin teaching the Catholic leaders of tomorrow to sing using Justine Ward’s methods.
Ward method materials including Teacher’s Manual, Student Workbook, Teacher’s Workbook, pitch pipe, and Red/Green pointer stick will be provided for each participant.
* The CMAA Ward Course does not have any official Ward accreditation and is not affiliated with the Center for Ward Studies.
Summer Chant Intensive for Directors
The CMAA has offered Chant Intensive courses since 2008. Each year, new attendees take the knowledge home and use it in their home parishes, increasing their skill level and sharing the information with others. What has been a consistent request from CMAA program attendees has been more information and training on effective chant direction. This summer’s Chant Intensive will do just that.
This course (Monday – Friday) will be taught by Wilko Brouwers, focusing on directing techniques for current and prospective chant directors. Through the use of:
General directing exercises,
Individual practice with the choir group (participants choose their own chant pieces), and
Video analysis,
… participants in the directing course will gain knowledge and practical experience during the 5-day course. The class will have two sections — for prospective directors and for singers — see the complete description at our Summer Chant Course webpage.
The basics of chant will not be taught in this course, other than as illustrations for the directing course.
Because of the nature of our summer course offerings, we must limit class sizes to allow time for adequate interaction with the instructors.
So… if you have been waiting for the opportunity to study with a master director to gain the skill and confidence to direct your own schola or would like to gain the skills to improve the sound of your choir, please make plans to join us this summer in Pittsburgh.
If you prefer to mail in your registration, please download a registration form for your preferred course from the webpage and mail it to us at: CMAA, PO Box 4344, Roswell, NM 88202. Please contact Janet Gorbitz if you have questions about the summer courses at programs@musicasacra.com.