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Music and Liturgy
 The formation program at TC is appropriately enhanced by a liturgical music program directed by Gerald F. Muller, DMA. Dr. Muller, working in collaboration with a member of the formation faculty, is responsible for music preparation related to all prayer and liturgical activities and celebrations held throughout the year. These activities may include, among others: the Opening Day liturgy and Eucharist in August; the annual Alumni Days reunion vespers service and liturgy in October; candidacy and the installation of ministries ceremonies in the fall and winter, respectively; and, the spring diaconate ordination held in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.Under his direction, the schola cantorum of TC has continued to enhance the prayer and worship life of the seminary community, growing to include more than 25 members. As an adjunct to their formation, the Music Program provides the needed training so that seminarians can further develop their musical talents and abilities in preparation for ordination and priestly formation, and as choir members, cantors, psalmists, organists, and in other musical areas. Seasonal performances have also been scheduled routinely over the past several years at TC and, particularly, during Advent and Lent - the 'Advent Lesson and Carols' and recent Tenebrae service on Palm Sunday - to showcase the range and abilities of the seminarians and their musicianship and to provide liturgical and ritual experience. In addition, seminarians perform at Masses for the homebound filmed throughout the year at the Shrine in Washington. Other daily formational activities include: sung vespers during the week and participation at week day Masses for the entire near 100-member seminary community. The Schola of Theological College also performs at the annual March for Life liturgy and Eucharist celebrated at the Verizon Center in January each year with Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington. In September 2008, the schola released its first compact-disk recording, Music of the Ages, a collection of liturgical hymns, chant, and songs of the liturgical seasons of Christmas, Lent and Easter performed each year at TC. June Liturgical Music Workshop Set In June 2010, under the auspices of the Music Program at Theological College, a three-day workshop on liturgical music and chant will be held at the seminary in Washington, D.C. Entitled, "Music in the Liturgy 'Tools of the Trade'", the workshop will feature access to little known but invaluable resources that all liturgical musicians should know about including: chant in English; musical possibilities of the new texts of the Roman missal; and English chant based on Gregorian principles of language and lyrical melody. The series is specially designed for liturgical musicians from local parishes, religious houses of formation, and high school, college and univeristy programs. Peter Latona, Director of Music of the National Shrine of the Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Washington, Lawrence Harris, chant specialist and Director of the Canadian Symposium on Music in Liturgy, and Gerald F. Muller, Director of Music at TC will present the workshop series. "Music In Liturgy 'Tools of the Trade'" will be held at Theological College, 401 Michigan Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017. Cost per session is $40, or $100 for all three sessions. Parking is available at the seminary. For more information and to apply, please click on the links below: Program Registration |
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