Transformative. Practical. Accessible.

About these Workshops

Are you looking to overhaul your sacred music program so that it aligns with the Church’s vision for sacred music—a program that truly glorifies God and sanctifies the faithful? One that helps people pray, becomes a vibrant part of parish life, draws others to your community, and builds the capacity to produce excellent sacred music at every Mass?

The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music offers workshops designed to meet the real needs of musicians and pastors.

This term’s topics begin with the practical and move toward the more specialized.

The online format, with optional archived access, lets you learn on a compact schedule that works for you and your community. Attending as a parish group enables teams to learn together and foster the conversations needed for lasting, transformative change. Each workshop focuses on concrete takeaways you can apply immediately in parishes and schools.

Building from Square (Note) One – Understanding Church Teaching on Sacred Music and Transforming Your Parish Music Program
Four Mondays: Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pacific | 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Eastern
with Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka

Learn the Church's fundamental teachings about sacred music and put them into practice! 

Each session begins with a clear explanation of a key principle from the Church’s magisterium on sacred music. We then explore how that principle applies to real parish circumstances, offering practical best practices that help priests and music directors turn the teaching into lived reality. Participants will also work with guided questions that help them inventory the people, skills, and resources already present in their communities, enabling them to build sustainable structures that maximize local gifts and create a vibrant parish music program.

Ideal for priests, music directors, and parish or finance council members.

Catholic Funerals: Implementing and Singing Sacred Music
Two Mondays: Oct.19, 26
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pacific | 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Eastern
with Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka

This workshop explores the Church’s teaching on sacred music as it applies specifically to the funeral rites, guiding priests, music directors, and parish musicians on implementing policies and preparing music that are both liturgically appropriate and pastorally sensitive. Participants will learn to sing the theologically rich music of the Requiem Mass, as well as discuss practical strategies for implementing beautiful, reverent, and dignified sacred music in real parish settings—whether resources are abundant or limited. Sample funeral Mass policies will be presented, alongside discussion of pastoral challenges like family requests, cultural expectations, and the need to foster both consolation rooted in Christian hope and prayer for the deceased.

Ideal for priests and music directors.

Three Different Approaches to Gregorian Rhythm and How to Sing Them
Three Mondays: Nov. 9, 16, 23
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pacific | 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Eastern
with Dr. Charles Weaver

Three ways to sing the Church's chant with beauty!

Discover the Church's Gregorian chant with fresh ears by singing it according to different styles. The principles articulated by mensuralists, Dom André Mocquereau, and Dom Eugène Cardine will be presented. 

Ideal for musicians with prior experience singing Gregorian chant.

Access is available to you by clicking through on your receipt for the event, both for the live and archived access. 

We also send reminder emails to you on Friday, Monday morning, and one hour before the event. Please look for emails from "Catholic institute of Sacred Music" in your spam AND promotions folders on your email and mark us as a safe sender. An additional email is sent to those who select archived access with a link to that access.

Questions or problems? Please email Sr. Mary Vianney at [email protected].