Gregorian Chant Workshop
May 24-28, 2017
Abbey of St. Walburga
Are
you intrigued by Gregorian Chant and curious to learn more about it? Are you
drawn to chant, but a bit uncertain about how to sing it? Are you looking for a
way to enliven your prayer life, personal or liturgical? The Benedictine Nuns
of the Abbey of St. Walburga invite you to deepen your understanding of and
appreciation for this powerful art form.
We will explore the
interrelationship of music, language, and prayer. You will become acquainted
with Gregorian notation and with the principles of bringing this ancient music
to life.
No previous knowledge of
chant is required, but basic familiarity with modern musical notation and
terminology will be assumed. We will go over the history of chant, and
introduce the musical notation specific to Gregorian chant. Because the program
is to be partly a retreat, and not just a course of study, we will spend time
actually experiencing the chants, and encourage participants to explore ways to
incorporate song into their own prayer lives.
By scheduling the workshop
from Wednesday evening through Sunday morning, we hope to have time and
opportunity to work intensively on a small number of chants, so that
participants can become really comfortable with at least a few pieces. There
will be a lot of singing, but no one will be pushed out of his or her personal
comfort zone.
Sr.
Hildegard Dubnick has been singing Gregorian Chant as a member of the
Benedictine Abbey of St. Walburga since 1987. She has been the Abbey's main
organist since 1995.
Cost for the retreat
is $300 per person, including private room and meals. Abbey retreats are open
to men and women of all denominations. The Abbey of St. Walburga is located on
U.S. Highway 287, 35 miles north of Fort Collins, CO, 29 miles south of
Laramie, WY.
For more
information or to make reservations, please call 970-472-0612, or email
aswretreats@gmail.com
