July 24 – 26: Sacred Music Institute Conference – Splendor and Majesty are Before Him: The Power of Musical Worship
Location: Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology
The Sacred Music Institute (SMI) at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology (MTSM) is offering a three-day conference for priests and church musicians in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and in Catholic dioceses throughout the tri-state area and beyond.
Psalm 96 encourages the faithful to “Sing to the Lord a new song,” for “great is the Lord and worthy to be praised … splendor and majesty are before him, strength and glory are in his sanctuary.” Since the arrival of our glorious new organ, Pasi Opus 29, in St. Gregory the Great chapel, we have a wonderful new symbol of the splendor, majesty, strength, and glory of the Lord. The organ embodies Creation at worship, and even more so, the body of Christ at worship. The focus of our conference this year will be the mystery and meaning of worship in the work of liturgical music: how does the music we make for the sacred liturgy embody the order, beauty, and love that is at the heart of God’s Creation?
Attendees will enjoy a keynote lecture on the theology of worship, as well as an organ recital on the new Pasi on Thursday evening, which will include liturgically oriented organ repertoire from various seasons of the Church year. Breakout sessions will give attendees an opportunity to gain practical knowledge and learn “tricks of the trade” in playing the keyboard, singing, and administrating the music programs at their parishes and schools. Finally, attendees will sing in one of three choirs at a festive choral Mass on the Feast of St. James, the Apostle, under the direction of an excellent conference musician staff. All of these events – including the chanted Liturgy of the Hours – will take place on the beautiful and prayerful campus of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. Attendees will also enjoy time for renewing old friendships and making new ones during daily meals and evening socials.