The Dominican Liturgical Center and the Schola of St. Joseph’s Parish in Kraków-Podgórze organized a workshop of Gregorian chant and traditional song for men entitled “Monodia w monoskładzie” (Monody for Men’s Voices). It took place on 13–15 May 2011 in Kraków.
The workshop is a unique opportunity to get to know traditional singing in an all-male ensemble. We invite everyone who wants to get to know and develop sensitivity to sung prayer flowing from the centuries-old tradition of the Church.
The aim of the workshop is to present Gregorian chant and early song as liturgical singing that can transform hearts and lead to God, especially in a strong, masculine form. Much has been said recently about chant and traditional singing in the liturgy. But how can difficult and long chants be used wisely in the everyday liturgy of our parishes? What is their meaning and purpose? The workshop is an attempt to take up this topic, which is current and very important from a liturgical point of view.
In the first part of our meetings, together with Adam Strug, we will discover the power and beauty of traditional songs. It will end with a truly manly May devotion and a Saturday Mass based on one of the Polish Mass hymns. Sławomir Witkowski and the Schola Cantorum Minorum Chosoviensis will introduce us to the fascinating world of Gregorian chant. We will end the Saturday singing with a solidly sung Matins in three nocturns. The high point of the part devoted to chant will be the Sunday Gregorian Mass. The workshop is also a school of prayer. A series of talks will be given by the Dominican Fr. Stanisław Nowak, who will teach about prayer through traditional singing. After the classes we will therefore practise prayer, as well and as beautifully as possible.
We invite men – cantors, organists, priests, conductors, members of scholas and choirs. You do not need to read music or know Latin. You do need to register as soon as possible, at the latest by 10 May 2011 (by 23:59), using the form.
The classes will take place in Kraków, in the Bl. James Hall at 4 Franciszkańska Street. The workshop costs PLN 90, including breakfasts and dinners but not accommodation. Minimum age of participants: 16. Free hospitality accommodation with members of the St. Joseph’s Parish schola is provided for the first twenty participants. Places are limited; first come, first served.
Tutors
Stanisław Nowak– a Dominican who has been working with liturgical music for over a decade and is currently a university chaplain in Lublin; in singing he is interested in prayer; he looks for its sources in the Bible, in the music of the first millennium and in the experience of the cantors of the Middle East, past and present; at the Lublin friary he runs the School of Prayer through Singing – Śpiew Korzenia.
Adam Strug – singer, composer of theatre and film music, screenwriter of documentary films about folk music, leader of Monodia polska and the Adam Strug Kwartet.
Sławomir Witkowski – musician, singer, director of the music ensembles Schola Cantorum Minorum Chosoviensis and Circulum; graduate of the Instrumental Faculty of the Academy of Music in Katowice.