by admin | Aug 18, 2025 | News
It was a wonderful beginning of August here at CISM as we welcomed nearly 80 young singers to campus for a 5-day chant camp. Students sang morning prayer, had intensive rehearsals preparing 5 days of sung Masses, and sharpened their vocal technique and solfège skills in rehearsals. Snack breaks and lunchtime games punctuated the days, and afternoons were spent learning about the pipe organ, the names of neumes, key signatures, and doing some composition.
We can’t wait to welcome students back to campus for camp again next summer!
In the meantime, CISM is launching a MAJOR NEW initiative: a comprehensive cathedral-style Chorister Program, training students in the Catholic faith and the Church’s treasury of sacred music, especially Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony.
Scholarships are available for families in need. The registration deadline is Friday, August 29th. Classes start Tuesday, September 9th and meet each Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park from 4:15-6:15 p.m.
More information and registration are available here.
by admin | Jul 26, 2025 | News
Feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim, 2025
Dear friends of the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music,
Thank you for being part an amazing summer 2025 here at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music. It’s not yet over, but I wanted to write to you with an update.
We welcomed hundreds of guests here at the beginning of the month for the inaugural Fons et Culmen Sacred Liturgy Summit. Anchored by the celebration of solemn pontifical Masses and Vespers, celebrated by Cardinals Sarah and O’Malley, Archbishop Cordileone, Bishops Fernandes and Barber, and Abbots Benedict Nivakoff and Marc Crilly, participants encountered God’s presence in sacred liturgies celebrated with utmost care, reverence, and beauty. CISM provided music for each of the liturgies with its all-professional choir, drawn from students and colleagues across the U.S. and directed by Prof. Berry and Dr. Donelson-Nowicka. We heard fantastic talks from over a dozen leading prelates, theologians, and artists, and we developed friendships and collegiality over meals and working sessions. Stay tuned for the book-format publication of the Summit’s addresses!
Earlier in the summer, CISM provided music for the Artists Retreat of the Benedict XVI Institute, held here on the campus of St. Patrick’s Seminary. Our musicians sang and played music by Fauré, Charpentier, Hassler, Peeters, and Josquin, of course as well as all of the Gregorian chant propers, and some lovely English chant adaptations for Vespers by Dr. Richard Skirpan.
Our summer graduate session moved into full-swing following the Summit with 9 classes in 3 weeks. Students in the Choral Institute sang the Gregorian propers for Mass, two motets per day, a Mass by du Mont, the Byrd Mass for Four Voices, the Rheinberger Mass in E-flat (JWV57), as well as Gregorian Vespers and English Morning Prayer under the direction of Prof. Christopher Berry and Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka. Composition Seminar students, under the tutelage of Dr. Frank La Rocca studied species counterpoint, and shared their own compositions with each other throughout the week, with all students hearing their compositions rendered by the Choral Institute students at the end of the week. Dr. Christoph Tietze‘s Organ Improvisation class improvised processional music for Mass and vespers, antiphon and hymn incipits, as well as an improvised accompaniment to the Mass in the First Royal Tone of Henri du Mont. We welcomed the Knights and Dames of Malta, along with many other guests for the final Mass of the week.
In the second week of classes, Introduction to Gregorian Chant students, taught by Dr. Donelson-Nowicka, developed their abilities to sing, teach, and direct music for Mass, focusing on Mass XI (Orbis factor) and the Gregorian propers of the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart, while also learning to sing Lauds in English-language adaptations of chant. In Organ Literature, taught by Prof. Christopher Berry, students covered the monuments of the organ repertoire with a special focus on the development of organ building techniques which buttressed developments in repertory, as well as understanding this music in the context of the Catholic liturgical services. In Vocal Pedagogy, taught by Prof. Sandra Bengochea, students received in-depth instruction on the anatomy and physiology of the vocal tract, and discussed teaching techniques which build healthy technique, as well as those approaches which are detrimental to the voice. On Wednesday evening of the second week of classes, some of our students were invited to sing for a solemn Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at the Carmelite Monastery of Cristo Rey in San Francisco. Afterward we enjoyed a meal at nearby Star of the Sea parish before heading back to the seminary to get some sleep for another great day of classes.
The final week’s classes included Teaching Gregorian Chant to Children, in which students learned to teach the first level of the Ward method with Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, concluding the week with a 5th teaching demonstration by students before they headed home to finish their final projects. Two fantastic seminars in chant also filled the hallways with singing. Dr. Charles Weaver‘s seminar on the modes and hexachordal solfège had students practicing the Guidonian hand all week, both in chant and polyphonic practice, as well as looking at some of the complexities of understanding modality in the Gregorian repertoire. Dr. Joseph Dyer‘s seminar on Old Roman Chant drew together historical and manuscript studies, as well as secondary literature, in understanding theories of transmission of repertoire and the relationship of the “Old Roman” repertoire to the Gregorian. Students enjoyed preparing a sung Mass for the feast of St. James, featuring music from the Codex Calixtinus, and are now at home wrapping up final projects, papers, and exams in the next weeks.
We are now in the final stages of preparation for the launch of CISM’s Chorister Program. The program launches with an August 4–8 Chant Camp in which we’ll welcome 80 young singers to campus for a week of sung Masses, catechesis, vocal training, and fun! We will soon be posting the registration page for the academic-year chorister program, which starts Tuesday, September 9th.
Major Announcements of the Summer
The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music was thrilled to announce, earlier this summer, the appointment of Christopher Berry as Assistant Professor of Sacred Music at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University. Berry will also serve as Organist and Director of Sacred Music at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, California, and as the Director of CISM’s newly-founded Chorister Program for young singers in grades 3+. Please join us in welcoming Professor Berry and his family to California!
We have also recently welcomed to our staff Sr. Mary Vianney Owens, who will serve as Program Associate and Assistant to the Director. Welcome, Sister!
We are also thrilled to announce the new Master of Sacred Music (MSM) degree program and Post-baccalaureate Certificates in Gregorian Chant and Sacred Choral Music, starting summer 2026, pending accreditation approval from WSCUC. We will have much more information forthcoming about these programs soon. Please stay tuned!
Additionally, we have marked many of the dates for the huge list of 2025–2026 offerings, both online and in-person, on our calendar, and we’ll be publishing more details on workshops, public lectures, and concerts in August. Check out our calendar here.
I hope to see you sometime soon at one of the many offerings of the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music.
Finally, please know that we count on your prayers and support! Please pray that our work continue to grow and flourish, supporting musicians all over the world in their work of singing to the praise and glory of God almighty, and redounding to the sanctification and edification of souls.
All for the praise of His glory!
Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, Director
by admin | Jun 7, 2025 | News
Calling all young singers!
The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music will launch a choral program for young singers ages 8-17, beginning August 4-8 with a Chant Camp at St. Patrick’s Seminary.
(More information is forthcoming about the academic-year program, which will begin Tuesday, September 9th at St. Patrick’s Seminary.)
A week of fun, engaging, and positive rehearsals, games, catechesis, time for prayer, and meals together—Chant Camp is a day camp for students who want to grow in their faith, learn to sing, and enjoy fellowship with other Catholics.
An add-on afternoon sessions introduces students to the pipe organ, music theory, and music composition.
The camp is for students of all levels, from new chanters to those who have some experience chanting or singing in a Catholic choir.
Each day will include:
- Mass, sung by camp participants
- Rehearsals that develop singing ability and techniqueInstruction in how to read printed music, including chant notation
- Games and time relaxing or playing outside
- Snacks and lunch
- Catechesis
- Time for personal prayer and the opportunity to go to confession
- Parents are welcome to join the students for Mass each day at 11:15 a.m. (final Mass at noon on Friday).
Scholarships are available for families with financial need. Please inquire with Sr. Mary Vianney at mary.vianney@stpsu.edu.
Instructors: Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka & Prof. Christopher Berry
Pricing
- Earlybird (for registration by June 25) Full Week Price, $350 for 1st student, $150 for each student from the same family after the 1st student.
- Regular (for registration from June 26–July 7) Full Week Price, $500 for 1st student, $250 for each student from the same family after the 1st student.
- Late (for registration from July 7–July 14) Full Week Price, $600 for 1st student, $300 for each student from the same family after the 1st student.
- $100 per week per student for the after-lunch add-on (extended day until 3:30 p.m.; M-Th only).
by admin | May 17, 2025 | News
The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music Announces Christopher Berry Hired as Assistant Professor at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University, and as Director of Chorister Program
Menlo Park, CA – May 17, 2025 – The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music (CISM) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Christopher Berry as Assistant Professor of Sacred Music at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University. Berry will also serve as Organist and Director of Sacred Music at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, California, and as the Director of CISM’s newly-founded Chorister Program for young singers in grades 3+. He joins a world-class roster of faculty, including Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, CISM’s founding director, as well as adjunct faculty such as Dr. Frank La Rocca, Dr. Charles Weaver, Dr. Christoph Tietze, Dr. Edward Schaefer, and Dr. Joseph Dyer, all outstanding experts in their respective fields.
A distinguished musician, Christopher Berry brings a wealth of experience in organ performance, choral conducting, and Gregorian chant to his new roles. With a career molded by studies under renowned mentors such as Jesse Eschbach, James Higdon, Marie-Claire Alain, Andrew Megill, and Simon Carrington, Berry has earned international recognition, including a Premier Prix from the conservatory of Rueil-Malmaison in Paris. His deep knowledge of early music and chant, born out of work at the Paris Conservatory, has profoundly influenced his approach to sacred music.
Berry’s extensive conducting experience includes leading choirs at iconic venues such as St. Peter’s Basilica, Canterbury Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey. As Director of Music at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he made a commercial recording and conducted an historic concert in the Sistine Chapel. After redefining a model music program for the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, Berry moved to St. Stanislaus Oratory, where the music program for the parish flourished with new ensembles and a chorister program grounded in traditional principles of chant and polyphony. While developing choirs at St. Stanislaus and at various summer conferences, he taught as Professor of Organ at Carthage College and University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
“We are delighted to welcome Christopher Berry to the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music at St. Patrick’s Seminary,” said Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, professor of sacred music and director of CISM. “His extraordinary talent, dedication to sacred music, and proven ability to develop excellent choirs and organists make him an ideal director for our Chorister Program, an inspiring leader for the development of the sacred music program at the vibrant Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, and a vital year-round addition to our faculty.”
At the Church of the Nativity, Berry will oversee the sacred music program, enriching liturgical celebrations with his expertise in organ performance and choral direction. As director of CISM’s Chorister Program, he will guide young singers in developing their musical and spiritual formation, fostering a deep appreciation for the Church’s sacred music tradition.
For more information about the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, please visit catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org.
About the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music
The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, based at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, is dedicated to drawing souls to Jesus Christ through the beauty of sacred music and the liturgy. The Institute offers a series of graduate-level coursework for credit, designed to help church musicians and clergy better to know and love the Church’s treasury of sacred music and her teachings on sacred music. Its goal is to equip students with the theological, philosophical, and historical knowledge, as well as the practical skills (singing, playing, conducting, composing, organizing, fundraising) necessary to build excellent sacred music programs in parishes and schools. It aims to help others revitalize the faith of Catholics and instill vitality in parish and school life through a vibrant sacred music program. They are committed to a faithful and generous service of the Church. The Institute cultivates fidelity, resiliency, a healthy sense of creativity, and selflessness within our student body and faculty as characteristics of our service as we labor together in the vineyard of the Lord to bring in a rich harvest. 
Media Contact:
Olivia Malchow, Program Associate | olivia.malchow@stpsu.edu
Christopher Berry – Biography
In June 2025, Christopher Berry joins the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music (CISM) as Assistant Professor of Sacred Music. Berry will also serve as Organist and Director of Sacred Music at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, California, and as the Director of CISM’s newly-founded Chorister Program for young singers in grades 3+.
Christopher Berry’s international career as an organist began in 1993, when he served as an organist for the final liturgy of World Youth Day, presided over by Pope St. John Paul II. Since then, he has performed concerts throughout the United States and Europe, including Belgium, Czech Republic, England, Italy, France, and Poland. His performance venues have included Notre Dame Cathedral, La Madeleine, and St. Sulpice, Paris; St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague; and St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.
Prof. Berry was a two-time semifinalist in the International Organ Competition of the City of Paris and a two-time semifinalist in the American Guild of Organists’ National Competition in Organ Improvisation. He has appeared on Pipedreams and as organist on the compact disk recordings Alzad la Cruz and Psalms, both recorded at The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
Prof. Berry holds degrees in Organ Performance from the University of North Texas as a student of Prof. Jesse Eschbach, where he graduated as the Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Organ, and from the University of Kansas, where he was a Graduate Teaching Assistant as a student of Prof. James Higdon. Prof. Berry was awarded a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship for the 2000-2001 academic year, during which time he won the Premier Prix from the Conservatoire of Rueil-Malmaison, as a student of François Henri-Houbart, Organist of the Church of the Madeleine in Paris. His improvisation study during this time was with Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, organist of St. Sulpice, Paris. During this year, he also studied Gregorian chant conducting with Louis-Marie Vigne at the Paris Conservatory and sang in the Chœur grégorien de Paris. Prof. Berry spent the summer of 1996 in Paris studying with eminent organists Marie-Claire Alain and Marie-Madeleine Duruflé.
Prof. Berry leaves the position of Director of Sacred Music and Organist at St. Stanislaus Oratory in Milwaukee, WI, where he built a renowned music program, including a burgeoning chorister program for young singers. From 2011 to 2019, he was Director of Music at the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, where he recorded Pax Tibi with the choir that he built there. While in Wisconsin, Berry also worked as Professor of Organ at Carthage College, and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, both in Kenosha, WI.
From 2009 to 2011, he was Organist and Choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, where he led their renowned choir in English choral residencies at Litchfield Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, St. George’s, Windsor Castle, and Westminster Abbey. As Director of Liturgical Music at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City from 2007 to 2009, Prof. Berry conducted a private concert for patrons of the Chicago Symphony in the Sistine Chapel and produced a recording with the seminary choir, Regina Immaculata, on which are heard his own organ harmonizations of the Gregorian chant propers for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
From 2003 to 2007, he was Music Director and Organist at the Church of the Holy Trinity on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, whose professional choir he directed in singing the full chant Propers and polyphonic ordinaries every Sunday and feast day. During this time, he was also heard regularly on Sirius Satellite Radio as an Associate Organist of The Cathedral of Saint Patrick, New York City. Prof. Berry’s full-time professional career as a church musician began when he was appointed Assistant Director of Music at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. in 2001, upon his return from France. In his position, he performed regularly for internationally broadcast liturgies as well as for daily services at the basilica.
Prof. Berry has worked as the accompanist for the University of Kansas Chamber Singers under Simon Carrington, and as Staff Accompanist at Westminster Choir College, where he worked with conductors such as Anton Armstrong, Lorin Maazel, Andrew Megill, and Dale Warland. Prof. Berry is immensely grateful for these experiences, along with the earlier, but not less profound, tutelage of Dr. Peter Latona, Dr. Marie Rubis-Bauer, Dr. Michael Bauer, Michie Akin, Dr. Lynn Trapp, and Robbie Giroir.
Prof. Berry is a member of the Board of Directors of the Church Music Association of America, for whose colloquia he regularly serves as a conductor and organist. He lives in Menlo Park with his wife and six daughters, and truly considers himself “blessed among women.”
Calling all young singers!