The Musical Shape of the Liturgy:
Celebrating the Life and Work of William P. Mahrt
Call for Participation
November 7–9, 2023
St. Patrick’s Seminary, Menlo Park, California
Sponsored by:
The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music at St. Patrick’s Seminary
The Church Music Association of America
Stanford University
The St. Ann Choir
Having devoted his life and scholarly activity to the study and praxis of the Roman rite and its music, Dr. William Mahrt has created a body of work which serves as become a touchstone for countless scholars and active church musicians. His insights into the characteristics of the various forms of Gregorian chant have elucidated the nature of chant as something integral to the sacred liturgy, and even explicated the nature of the sacred liturgy itself. His exposition of the nature of beauty and its embodiment in Catholic sacred music, liturgical gestures and symbols, and architecture has served as an important guide in the Church’s understanding of the purpose of artistic beauty in Divine worship. His work with the polyphonic masters of the Renaissance has illuminated the performances and scholarship of many choirs and students, and his devoted direction of the St. Ann Choir and Stanford Early Music Singers remains a pillar of the practice of sacred music in the United States.
On the occasion of the 150th volume of Sacred Music, which Dr. Mahrt has edited since 2006, following upon the establishment of a new chair in sacred music at St Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park in his name, and on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the founding of St Patrick’s Seminary, the organizing committee is pleased to announce a conference entitled “The Musical Shape of the Liturgy: Celebrating the Life and Work of William P. Mahrt.”
This two-and-a-half-day conference will feature:
- Keynote addresses (William Mahrt, Joseph Dyer, Kerry McCarthy, Sr. Maria Kiely, O.S.B.)
- Papers, lecture recitals, and panel discussions on topics related to the conference theme
- Masses and the sung Divine Office led by the St. Ann Choir and the Schola Cantorum of St. Patrick’s Seminary
- Opportunities for informal discussions over included receptions and lunches on November 7, 8, and 9
- Banquet on the evening of November 8
The conference committee welcomes proposals for papers, lecture recitals, and panel discussions related to the conference topic. Lecture recitals may be 20 minutes in length, while all other sessions will be either half-length (20 minutes paper plus 10 minutes for discussion for a total of 30 minutes) or full-length (45 minutes paper plus 15 minutes for discussion for a total of 60 minutes). Please specify in your paper proposal whether a half- or full-length session is intended. Panel discussions should have a minimum of three participants and will be 60 minutes in length, inclusive of questions.
To learn more about the conference, view, or download the complete call for participation, please visit the conference website.
