This August, the youth choirs of Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish ended their summer hiatus with a wonderfully successful “Chant Camp.” This 4-day seminar exceeded all previous years with a tremendous turnout of 60 kids! Ranging in age from 5 through 18, these energetic choristers learned about solfege, chant technique, Latin pronunciation, liturgy, and choral singing, all within the context of the Traditional Latin Mass. For many in the group, this was their very first experience with chant.
The Chant Camp culminated in a potluck dinner before High Mass on the feast of the Assumption, for which the choristers were invited to sing two motets and nearly all of the chants of the Mass Ordinary!
As the parish is blessed to have so much participation in its youth choirs, they are divided up into three ensembles based on age and experience. Optimally, students progress through each of these choirs in a graduated path, with the ultimate goal of singing in the adult Schola Cantorum.
- Pueri Cantorum: Elementary training choir for grades 2-4, providing basic training in unison singing in English and Latin, introductory solfege, introductory Western and chant notation, rounds, games, and general music concepts.
- Harmonia Cantorum: Middle school choir for grades 5-8, building upon the foundation of the Pueri Cantorum and expanding into more challenging repertoire, including all parts of the Mass Ordinary, simplified Mass Propers, and 2- and 3-part singing for motets. Boys study the “cambiata range” as their voices begin to mature.
- Gradus Cantorum: High school mixed choir for grades 9-12, branching out into ornate chants and intricate Propers, 4-part motets and an introduction to Renaissance polyphony.
In addition to these choirs, the parish offers the following specialized opportunities:
- Mini Chant Class: Primer class for the youngest students from ages 5-7, providing a fun and approachable introduction to the basic concepts of singing, melody, and rhythm in a pre-school/kindergarten setting. These classes meet once every month.
- Choir Cadets: Vocal training program for all boys to prepare them for, and guide them through the male voice change. A male vocal coach works with the boys once every month.
- Gradus and Schola Cantorum Apprentices: Intensive program for students with advanced aptitude to sit in and perform with their superior ensemble, preparing them for the skills and expectations of that group in a student capacity. This has been effective for recruitment by harvesting singers that are already well versed in the Latin Mass and experienced with the rigorous expectations of the parish music program.
Please check out these pictures and some recordings of the kids’ live performance at High Mass. Many, thanks to the parish pastor, Canon William Avis of the Institute of Christ the King for his support of this program, and especially to Mrs. Sharon Burchill for her incredible care, talent, and dedication to these kids, and to the parish music program at large. None of this would be possible without her!
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