More Gregorian Chant - Italia!

Gregorian Chant Workshop

May 3-10, 2009 in Calvi dell’Umbria, Italy
Led by international Chant expert Professor Eugeen Liven d’Abelardo,
With vocal warmups and voice instruction by Theresia Bothe & Christopher Fülling

Housing and some rehearsals at the Guest House of the Art Monastery Project. Rehearsals and performances in the monasteries and churches of Calvi dell’Umbria and surrounding sites.

The theme of the workshop will be study of Gregorian chant neums and stylistic performance technique as applied to the repertoire of the monastic office (psalmody, antiphons, responsories, etc.). The vocal lessons, theoretical study, and music preparations will culminate in public performances in the festival of Calvi’s patron saint, S. Pancrazio, a beautiful living tradition that has been celebrated since the 13th Century. The male course participants may join the festival-opening Vespers for S. Pancrazio and we are collaborating with the local Medieval ensemble to invite the female participants to join a concert of Medieval music for the festival.

Throughout the week will be lectures on history, St. Gallen notation, form development, modality, voice lessons & warm up, studying repertoire. We will perform chant complines in the evenings in the breathtaking coro of the monastery, where the cloistered nuns celebrated the offices for centuries.

Also included will be excursions to nearby monasteries where Gregorian Chant is still performed.

€1200* per participant includes room and board (based on twin share accommodations at the Casale Santa Brigida)** and the program detailed above. Student scholarships available.***

Our daily itinerary will be:
8.00 breakfast
9.00 vocal warm up w/Christopher or Theresia
9.45 1st session: Gregorian chant neum reading and singing
10.45 coffee break
11.00-12.00 2nd session: history, theory, topics
12.30 lunch & siesta
15.00 3rd session: Repertoire preparation
16.15 tea break
16.30 4th session: Repertoire preparation
Afterward, private study in small groups (psalmody), and private voice lessons can be scheduled with Christopher & Theresia
free time
19.30 dinner
21:00 sometimes, public Compline in the coro of the monastery

*transportation to/from Italy is not included. Small discounts available for people who bring or rent their own car.

**Single supplement of €365 (this ensures you a private room)

*** Scholarships available for music and theology students with valid student ID.

Please send inquiries to santabrigida@artmonastery.org