By Susan Gately - 14 June, 2015
For the first time this year, the Irish Church Music Association, will be holding a joint summer school with the Church of Ireland’s Liturgical Music Association.
The summer school entitled Pilgrims for Christ, is in its 46th year, and up to 250 delegates are expected at the event which runs from the 2 – 5 July 2015 at St Patrick’s College Maynooth.
“Musicians from around the country and beyond will sing and pray together and the purpose of the association is to promote, encourage and support an understanding of the use of music in the liturgical and daily life of the Church,” commented the Catholic bishops at their recent meeting.
Although individual participants from other churches have attended the summer school in the past, this is the first year the summer school will be “officially ecumenical,” Mary Dee, Irish Church Music Association (ICMA) School Registrar told CatholicIreland.net.
Reflecting this ecumenical theme, for the first time the programme will feature Choral Evensong on the Saturday evening and an ecumenical Prayer around the Cross on Friday night.
Unlike previous years there will not be a Catholic Eucharist each day. “We are trying different liturgies each day, looking to a time when perhaps there won’t be Mass in parishes each day,” said Ms Dee.
College chapel St Patrick’s College, Maynooth
Morning prayer will start the day and some form of Evening song or prayer liturgy will end it.
Friday and Saturday will both feature ‘Workshops’ and ‘Break Out’ sessions.
The workshops are on Music for Advent & Christmas (A Light has Shone) with Paul Kenny, Music for Lent and Reconciliation (Hold Fast to Christ) with Ian Callanan, Music for the Easter Season (From Darkness to Light) with Marian Gaynor and Music for the Sacraments (Singing through the Sacraments) with Ciaran Coll.
There are also ‘Breakout Sessions’ on the Friday and Saturday afternoons: Eternal is His Love led by Liam Lawton, Grow in Love lead by Bernard Sexton (focusing on the music in the new Religious Education programme in Catholic primary schools), Music with Children and Psalmody and Hymnody lead by Andrew Reid and various organ tutorials.
The full course costs €270 (€180 for students). There are also daily rates. These prices do not include accommodation.
On Saturday night, 5 July, Fr Liam Lawton will be performing a concert at 8pm, and there will be a closing organ recital from 3:15-4pm on Sunday 6 July 2015.
For the full time table and booking details see: http://www.irishchurchmusicassociation.com/uploads/7/4/1/3/7413445/icma_brochure_2015_(2).pdf
Cistercian College Roscrea
Meanwhile, Ian Callanan will lead another summer school in August.
Music Ministry Together is a new five-day summer school held at Cistercian College Roscrea, for youth and adult leaders who have a “passion for liturgical music and the desire to serve as ministers in their parishes, schools and communities.”
Teenagers may attend, but those under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Music Ministry Together is led by internationally known composer, teacher, and liturgical musician Ian Callanan and a dynamic team of adult directors and tutors (all volunteers).
The course runs from the 4-9 August. Participants can attend the full course or part of it. The cost of the 5-day course is €250 including accommodation, meals and course materials. Day rates are available from €40. For further information see: www.musicministry.ie
