The
12-member St. Cecilia Schola
Cantorum was founded in 2001 as a parish choir attached to St.
Michael's the Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn, Alabama, with a
particular
emphasis on using chant and polyphony as an integral part of modern
liturgy. The singers, directors, and organizers serve as volunteers
(that is to say, we are not paid professionals).
The first mission of the schola is to serve the parish community in the
process of rediscovering the music that is integral to the development
and full experience of the Roman Rite. It does through through
carefully preparing and singing the music that the Church recognizes as
holding pride of place in the liturgy: Gregorian chant and its
stylistic descendants in the polyphonic tradition. Schola-assisted
liturgies are unaccompanied.
The broader mission of the St. Cecilia Schola is to assist other parish
choirs in participating in the revival of this tradition. The schola
does through through workshops, articles in the popular and scholarly
press, and making materials available online that can be used by parish
choirs in the implementation of truly sacred music. The schola has made
available the Jubilate Deo,
issued by Paul VI in 1974 in the hope that it would serve as the music
foundation of all parishes liturgies. Other writings are linked from
the homepage.
It
was our highest privilege to sing at the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception, July 11, 2004, and receive the
blessing of Archbishop Oscar Hugh Lipscomb (a note
about the event).
The schola is available to assist at weddings, funerals,
and other special events.
The schola rehearses weekly, and sings at liturgy twice monthly at the
8am Mass during the entire liturgical year. See our schedule .
Members of the schola are available for workshops or other liturgical
events. The schola is entirely financed through member contributions.
If you would like to support our work and mission--and we do need and
appreciate the support--contact us.
