Origins of the Project - A Letter From the Director

 

Let me tell you about an exciting program that could help improve the quality
of liturgical music in your diocese or parish. It is called SummerSong and it
consists of a two-week intensive experience for liturgical music ministers to
be held on the campus of the University of Notre Dame during the summer.

In 2004, the University of Notre Dame approached the directors of the J. S. Paluch Company, and asked if they would be interested in helping fund a two-week study session on the campus to which they agreed. The emphasis of SummerSong is fourfold:

1) to offer a graduate level course in the study of liturgy, specifically geared to the church musician;
2) to offer a continuous, two-week series of clinics for organists, pianists, guitarists, vocalists and choir directors;
3) to offer chances for communal prayer and retreat conference experience;
4) to bring together church musicians from a variety of places and backgrounds, affording them the chance for dialogue and continued growth.

Over the years, many different workshop venues have been created to help train and inform the church musician. But these opportunities tend to be brief, hour-long general sessions, held at conference centers in cities throughout the United States. The chance for deeper study and better musical technique usually cannot be conveyed in these short workshops. We think that Notre Dame has something to contribute to the on-going development of pastoral liturgical music.

The University of Notre Dame, in a special way, has played a prominent role in the mission of liturgical renewal, beginning with the work of the visionary Michael Mathis, c.s.c. Father Mathis was given permission by his provincial superior in early 1946 to negotiate with the president of Notre Dame, Father John C. Cavanaugh, c.s.c., for the establishment of an academic program in liturgy. He thus instituted an undergraduate program in the summer of 1947 from which has grown the Notre Dame graduate liturgy program. Beginning with the 1970s and extending to the present day, students in sacred song and liturgical studies have seen Notre Dame as a place for renewal and study in the disciplines of liturgy and the liturgical arts.

The J. S. Paluch Company is generously endowing scholarships to every first-time participant
accepted into the SummerSong program. These scholarships will cover up to one half
the tuition and room. It is our hope that sponsoring dioceses or parishes will
assist practicing liturgical musicians with the remaining part of the fees and will
encourage them to attend SummerSong.

 

Sincerely,

Rev. Michael S. Driscoll
Associate Professor of Liturgy
Director of the Master in Sacred Music (MSM) Program

 

Last updated 9 January, 2007.
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