Founded in 2006, the St. Gregory Institute for Music and Liturgy encourages and facilitates collaborative and interdisciplinary studies from church musicians and liturgiologists on a variety of topics relating to the Mass of the Latin Rite. Its mission is to help local Catholics rediscover a sense of the sacred through liturgies, devotions, sacred music, as well as instruction in the great cultural heritage of the Church. Based at St. John’s Church in Stamford, Connecticut, the institute will also disseminate the results of its work and will host forums on special topics that might include experts from areas outside of Connecticut. In the spirit of inquiry and discovery in service to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the institute hopes to inspire an understanding of and passion for the highest artistic achievements inspired by the Roman Rite, especially sacred music.

Upcoming events include a Sacred Music Workshop, June 1^st and 2^nd,2007. This practicum shows how you can take part in the revival of sacred music in your parish. It provides a practical introduction for directors of music, singers in parish choirs, parents and teachers who want to teach chant to children, or anyone who is curious about the sound and solemnity of truly sacred music. The workshop has been expanded by one day, with a choral workshop on Friday. It will concentrate exclusively on polyphonic music, and runs from 2:00-5:00pm. It is designed for singers with some musical background (which means the ability to read music). Polyphony learned will be sung at the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening. The focus of Saturday's sessions will be Gregorian chant. The workshop features:

• Singing sessions on 16th century polyphony by Palestrina, Byrd, Di Lasso, and others

• Singing and instructional sessions on the basics of reading chant notation

• Singing sessions on the essential Latin chants every Catholic should know

• A Mass during which the Workshop Schola will sing what we've learned

• Sheet music provided as part of registration

• Lunch and all-day child care

In particular, the Saturday chant workshop will work through the selected Ordinary Chant and Propers for Sunday. These chant gaining new attention, given recent Vatican statements favoring more chant, polyphony, and solemnity in liturgy. The polyphony workshop will focus on the music of Palestrina, Byrd, Vitoria, Croce, and Di Lasso.

The Saturday workshop runs from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Come join us for a fun, educational experience that will leave you inspired, spiritually uplifted, and ready to participate in the renewal of the great Catholic musical tradition. Registration fee for the full Sacred Music Workshop, February 16-17, 2007: $60 per attendee for both days. Friday's choral workshop alone: $25. Chant workshop alone: $35.