Saint Cecilia Academy for Pastoral Musicians

11/30/2022

The Archdiocese of New York's Liturgy Office and Liturgical Music Commission celebrated the pipe organ last Saturday with ‘Organfest’ at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York. Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.) was the featured speaker and followed up with a moving concert in the main chapel. See (and hear!) more below!

St. Joseph's Seminary celebrated the pipe organ last Saturday with 'Organfest' in Yonkers, New York. Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the…

11/03/2022

Last chance to Register! Organfest!

Are you a church musician – or merely a fan of great organ music? Join us this fall for a day dedicated to celebrating and enjoying the “king of instruments” – the pipe organ! You’ll hear a keynote address given by Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.); enjoy breakout sessions with some of New York’s finest Catholic musicians; and enjoy concert given by Dr. Latona on the Seminary’s 41-rank Casavant Frères pipe organ.

Registration and ticket information:

Celebrate the pipe organ with a keynote address, breakout sessions, and concert with Dr. Peter Latona!

10/24/2022

Organfest 2022 - Register Today!

Are you a church musician – or merely a fan of great organ music? Join us this fall for a day dedicated to celebrating and enjoying the “king of instruments” – the pipe organ! You’ll hear a keynote address given by Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.); enjoy breakout sessions with some of New York’s finest Catholic musicians; and enjoy concert given by Dr. Latona on the Seminary’s 41-rank Casavant Frères pipe organ.

Registration and ticket information:

Celebrate the pipe organ with a keynote address, breakout sessions, and concert with Dr. Peter Latona!

09/11/2022

Are you a church musician – or merely a fan of great organ music? Join us this fall for a day dedicated to celebrating and enjoying the “king of instruments” – the pipe organ! You’ll hear a keynote address given by Dr. Peter Latona, Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.); enjoy breakout sessions with some of New York’s finest Catholic musicians; and enjoy concert given by Dr. Latona on the Seminary’s 41-rank Casavant Frères pipe organ.

Registration and ticket information: http://organfest.eventbrite.com

04/25/2020

Summer Online Sacred Music Courses!

Take up to 13 online graduate credits in sacred music through St. Joseph's Seminary this summer. Join Drs. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, Crista Miller, and Timothy McDonnell for a great lineup.

50% discount on tuition (credit or audit) available if you're a parish or parochial school musician!
https://www.dunwoodie.edu/dunwoodie-music-classes
Principles of Sacred Music
Through a survey of the history of sacred music and reading of Church and papal legislation on sacred music, students gain an understanding of the principles which shape Western sacred music and the musical structure of the Roman rite. Special focus is placed on current documents which govern music in the Church. The course also features in-depth discussion of practical issues including the formation and management of sacred music programs in parishes, active participation, progressive solemnity, the use of instruments in the sacred liturgy, resources available for music directors and choristers, and other relevant topics. Asynchronous on-line June 1–July 26, synchronous (live) online July 27 and 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fulfills course requirements for the St. Cecilia Academy certification. Taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.

Principles of Chant
Serving as an introduction to Gregorian chant, this course will cover neumatic notation, Gregorian modes, ear training and sight reading, vocal technique appropriate for singing chant, and Latin pronunciation. Special focus will be placed on rhythmic interpretation of the chant according to the classical Solesmes (Mocquereau) method. By the end of the class, students will have confidence singing from the Graduale Romanum, solfège, and psalm tones, and some experience in conducting (chironomy). Additional topics introduced in the class include the history of Gregorian chant, rehearsal techniques for teaching chant to children and adult choirs, and an introduction to chant resources in English and Spanish. Synchronous (live) online July 13–17, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fulfills course requirements for the St. Cecilia Academy certification. Taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.

Conducting and Group Vocal Pedagogy for the Parish Music Director
Strategies and practice in conducting and teaching healthy vocal production to amateur singers. Synchronous (live) online July 29–31, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Taught by Dr. Timothy McDonnell.
Introduction to the Organ for Pianists
Essential knowledge and practice with registration, good technique, pedaling, hymn- and service-playing, and appropriate repertoire. Synchronous (live) online August 3–7, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00-6:00 p.m. Taught by Dr. Crista Miller.

Teaching Gregorian Chant to Children
This 5-day intensive course will present pedagogical techniques for teaching Gregorian chant to children and is ideal for Catholic schoolteachers, directors and teachers of religious education, directors of children’s choirs, and parents. Special emphasis will be placed on the Ward Method, a comprehensive music education method designed to teach sacred music to children. Other topics addressed will include resources for teachers, other teaching approaches, and the logistics of developing a sacred music program for children. Synchronous (live) online July 20–24, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Taught by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.

Tuition
50 % discount for 1st-time students or musicians in the St. Cecilia Academy for Pastoral Musicians.
The St. Cecilia Academy is open to all parish and school musicians who obtain a letter of support from their pastor.
Full price: $500 to audit, $500 per credit hour (some classes are 2 credits, others are 3 credits)

FAQ available here: https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/…/Summer%20Sacred%20M…

11/23/2018

Join our seminarians at St. Joseph's Seminary (Dunwoodie) for their annual Advent/Christmas concert next weekend on December 1 and 2! Tickets at $25 may be purchased at: dunwoodiemusic.org.

08/03/2017

Accounting our fall courses!

INTRODUCTION TO LITURGY
FR. MATTHEW ERNEST, S.T.D.

INTRODUCTION TO CHANT
DR. JENNIFER DONELSON, DMA

DATES:
MONDAYS, 7:00-9:30PM
SEPTEMBER 11- DECEMBER 18

LOCATIONS:
Saint Joseph's Seminary (Yonkers)
Seminary of the Immaculate Conception (Huntington)

TUITION RATES:
First-time students: $250 (audit)/$750 (3 credits)
Parish Musicians : $500 (audit)/$750 (3 credits)
Others: $500 (audit)/$1500 (3 credits)

Visit our website to learn more about the Saint Cecilia Academy!: nyliturgy.org/st-cecilia-academy-for-pastoral-musicians

What is the Saint Cecilia Academy?
The Saint Cecilia Academy is four-course, fully accredited program offered through St. Joseph’s Seminary in the field of liturgical music for the purpose of introducing musicians to the history, theology, and pastoral principles of liturgy and sacred music.

Why would a musician want to attend the Saint Cecilia Academy?
Many dedicated parish musicians (salaried and unsalaried) have received musical training, but have not had the opportunity to study the principles of liturgy and sacred music. The Saint Cecilia Academy provides this training in a cost-effective manner.

What are students saying about the Saint Cecilia Academy?
“The Saint Cecilia Academy gave me the confidence to know that I now have the knowledge, tools, and resources I need to do my job as music coordinator of my parish. As professional musicians, we receive top level training at music universities and conservatories, but very little official training that prepares us for the real-world opportunities that many musicians encounter in the church - i.e., ‘church jobs’. If you are a professional musician who works in the church, this is the program that fills that gap.”
- Shana Mahoney, Saint Barnabas Church, Bronx

"The Saint Cecilia program has surpassed my expectations. The Seminary is a beautiful place that fosters learning and fellowship. The classes have been wonderfully useful and relevant to my work. Attending the Saint Cecilia Academy allows me to be challenged and to better myself and my work so that my parish can better glorify God and find sanctification. It is a friendly, inviting, nourishing atmosphere--all will feel welcome and all will benefit from what there is to be learned."
- Paul Loman, Saint Ann Church, Yonkers

10/20/2016

www.DunwoodieMusic.org St. Joseph's Seminary presents an Advent & Christmas Fundraising Concert with the Schola Cantorum The Seminary Schola will be on tour ...