Events
Featured Event
Fall Term Monday Online Workshop Series Begins
September 21, 2026
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Upcoming Events
24
August
Fall Term Begins for MSM and Certificate Students
Fall Courses: Applied Voice, MSM Colloquium
25
August
Fall Term Begins for CISM Choristers
Now open to ages 5 to 18!
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
19
September
Comienzan los talleres en español del semestre de otoño
Descifrando el código musical: Una guía básica de la notación cuadrada y moderna
Cuatro sábados: 19 y 26 de septiembre; 3 y 10 de octubre
9:00-10:00 a.m. (hora del Pacífico) | 12:00-13:00 p.m. (hora del Este)
con José Ballón Vásquez
¿Alguna vez te has encontrado ante una partitura sin saber por dónde comenzar? ¿Cómo se identifican las notas, los ritmos y los demás signos musicales? ¿Y cómo se lee la notación propia del canto gregoriano?
En esta clase recibirás una introducción práctica a la lectura de la notación moderna y de la notación cuadrada gregoriana. Mediante herramientas como el solfeo y el conteo rítmico cantado, aprenderás a interpretar los principales signos de una partitura y a convertir la música escrita en sonido. Estos conocimientos te ayudarán a abordar con mayor seguridad el repertorio de tu coro y a desarrollar tus habilidades como músico eclesiástico.
Esta clase está dirigida especialmente a integrantes de coros parroquiales, directores de coro y otros músicos eclesiásticos que deseen fortalecer sus habilidades de lectura musical.
9:00–10:00 a.m. (hora del Pacífico) | 12:00–13:00 p.m. (hora del Este)
21
September
Fall Term Monday Online Workshop Series Begins
Are you looking to overhaul your sacred music program into something aligned with the Church’s vision for sacred music? A program that truly glorifies God and sanctifies the faithful? That helps people pray? That is a vibrant part of the social life of your parish? That draws people to your parish? A program that builds up people’s capacity to produce excellent sacred music at each and every Mass?
The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music offers new workshop topics each semester that meet the needs of musicians and pastors.
The fall term’s topics begin with the practical, and move to the specialist.
The online format with optional archived access means you can learn on a compact schedule that works for you and your community. Parish subscription enable people to learn together, and develop helpful conversations for transformative application in your community. Each workshop focuses on useful takeaways you can apply in your work at 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 experience singing Gregorian chant.
5:30-6:30 P.M. Pacific | 8:30-9:30 P.M. Eastern
10
October
Missa Sancti Juniperi Serra for 250th Anniversary of the Misión San Francisco de Asís
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone will celebrate a Mass at Mission Dolores Basilica on October 10 at 11 a.m. in honor of the 250th anniversary of the dedication of Misión San Francisco de Asís.
Music for the Mass will be directed by CISM’s Drs. Christopher Berry and Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka and include the Missa Sancti Juniperi Serra by Frank La Rocca with choir and chamber orchestra. Bishop Michael Barber, S.J. will deliver the homily. A reception will follow in the hall.
11:00 A.M.
15
October
Applications for Summer 2027 Open
Applications for the MSM degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificates, and Non-Degree-Seeking students open.
Summer 2027 Courses:
- History and Principles of Sacred Music
- Fundamental Philosophical Questions about Beauty
- Sacred Music and Canon Law
- Liturgical Theology
- Vocal Pedagogy
- Introduction to Gregorian Chant
- Choral Lit Survey II
- Choral Repertoire Conducting Practicum II
- Choral Preparation
- Teaching Gregorian Chant to Children
- Advanced Seminars in Gregorian Chant (Topics TBA)
- Choral Institute
- Organ Improvisation
- Composition Seminar
- Parish Sacred Music Program Management
- Introduction to the Organ for Pianists
16-17
October
Sacred Music Leadership Summit at Franciscan University of Steubenville
Two Days to Transform Your Music Ministry
Whether you’re strengthening an established music ministry or building one from the ground up, the Sacred Music Leadership Summit will help you renew and elevate your Catholic parish or school music program. Through presentations, hands-on workshops, collaborative planning sessions, and discussion, you’ll discover practical ways to cultivate music that deepens prayer, enriches the liturgy, and strengthens your parish or school community.
Designed for priests, parish staff, music directors, principals, parish council members, and other Catholic leaders, this two-day summit combines theological vision with practical instruction to help you develop a clear plan for your own parish or school.
Sponsored by the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music and Franciscan University of Steubenville
Friday Afternoon and Saturday
23-24
October
Sacred Music Stockton
The second annual Sacred Music Stockton workshop will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Oakdale, California.
Friday Afternoon and Saturday
31
October
Jornada de Estudio de Música Sacra
Nuestra segunda Jornada anual de Estudio de Música Sacra, íntegramente en español
Este evento incluirá:
- Ensayos con música que podrán llevar a sus parroquias: un Ordinario de Misa, himnos, y música coral accesible y hermosa.
- La oportunidad de aprender música para cantar juntos durante la celebración de la Misa.
- Talleres con consejos prácticos para desarrollar y enseñar una técnica vocal saludable.
- Misa solemne, celebrada por Su Excelencia, Salvatore J. Cordileone, Arzobispo de San Francisco, y cantada por los participantes.
- Catequesis sobre el papel de la música sacra en la vida espiritual.
- Oportunidad para recibir el sacramento de la confesión.
- Almuerzo, refrigerios y convivencia con músicos locales.
Este encuentro está especialmente dirigido a:
- Directores de música parroquial
- Miembros de coros parroquiales
- Cantores
- Clérigos
Cantantes y directores de música de todos los niveles encontrarán este evento enriquecedor y valioso.
Quédese para los talleres adicionales de la tarde o váyase después del almuerzo si tiene otros compromisos familiares o parroquiales.
Todo el día del sábado
6-7
November
Ave Maria, Florida, Lecture and Workshop
Join Dr. Donelson-Nowicka for a Friday evening lecture and an all-day Saturday sacred music workshop at Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, Florida.
More information forthcoming.
Friday Evening and Saturday
14
November
Sacred Music Workshop, TAC New England
Join Dr. Donelson-Nowicka for an all-day Saturday sacred music workshop at Thomas Aquinas College’s New England campus in Northfield, Massachusetts.
More information forthcoming.
All day
4
December
Advent and Christmas Concert
Join the St. Patrick’s Seminary Schola Cantorum and the CISM Choristers for a concert of Advent and Christmas music.
More information forthcoming.
7:00 p.m.
7
December
Vocal Juries for Applied Voice
Final exams of Applied Voice for MSM and Certificate students
14
January, 2027
Spring Term Begins for MSM and Certificate Students
Spring Courses: Applied Voice, MSM Colloquium
15
January, 2027
MSM and Certificate Application Deadline
Deadline for Summer 2027 cohort. Auditions and interviews take place January 15 to February 15 with decisions by February 20.
30
January
Comienzan los talleres en español del semestre de primavera
¡Desarrolla la voz que Dios te ha dado!
Aprende a respirar mejor, cantar afinadamente, ampliar tu extensión vocal e interpretar música más exigente
Tres sábados: 30 de enero; 6 y 13 de febrero
9:00 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. Pacífico | 12:00 p.m. a 13:00 Oriental
with Prof. Sandra Bengochea
¡La descripción y el registro estarán disponibles próximamente!
9:00 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. Pacífico | 12:00 p.m. a 13:00 Oriental
27
February
Sacred Music Study Day
The fourth annual Sacred Music Study Day—co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, St. Patrick’s Seminary, and the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music—draws together singers from all over northern California for an all-day Catholic choral festival.
The event features:
- Three tracks for singers: beginner, intermediate, or advanced
- Rehearsals featuring music you can take home to your congregations: a Mass ordinary, Lenten hymns, approachable and beautiful choral music
- The opportunity to learn music we can sing together at Mass
- Tips on teaching/learning note-reading in rehearsalsWorkshops offering tips on developing and teaching healthy vocal technique
- Solemn Mass, sung by participants, celebrated by His Excellency, Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco
- Catechesis on the role of sacred music in the spiritual life
- An opportunity to go to confession
- Lunch, refreshments, and fellowship with area musicians
The event is designed especially for:
- Parish music directors
- Parish choir members
- Cantors
- Clergy
Singers and music directors of all ability levels will find the event enriching and worthwhile.
All Day
3
April
Sacred Music Workshop, St. Norbert’s College
Join Dr. Donelson-Nowicka for a sacred music workshop at St. Norbert’s College in De Pere, Wisconsin.
More information forthcoming.
3
May, 2027
Vocal Juries for Applied Voice
Final exams of Applied Voice for MSM and Certificate students
1-4
June
Fons et Culmen Sacred Liturgy Summit
The second Summit speaker line-up will be announced in August 2026.