Forming the Leaders of Sacred Music
“I wholeheartedly encourage you in this important work and pray that, as the Holy Father desires, it will give much glory to Almighty God in the Sacred Liturgy of His Church, thereby drawing Christ’s faithful ever more deeply into the mysteries it celebrates for the salvation of souls.” – Robert Cardinal Sarah
Forming the Musical Culture of the Church
Musical training of the highest caliber is needed in order to preserve, promote, and develop the Church’s patrimony of sacred music, both among performing musicians and composers, as well as among teachers and scholars, so that a musical formation of the broader culture can be achieved with people understanding and appreciating truly beautiful art and its place in the liturgy. The Catholic Sacred Music Project provides this much-needed training so that musicians can use their gifts and talents to lead the music in their communities and renew their local culture of sacred music, and, eventually, effect a widespread renewal of sacred music in the Church and culture at large.
“I am very happy to bless this initiative and to agree to become the Patron of the Catholic Sacred Music Project.”
– Robert Cardinal Sarah, former Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship
“I extend my blessing to the Catholic Sacred Music Project and encourage members of the faithful to offer it their prayers and support in advancing its mission both in the Diocese of Trenton and in the Church universal.”
– Bishop David O’Connell, Bishop of Trenton, Chairman-Elect of the Committee on Catholic Education for the USCCB.
2025 Sacred Music Summer School
Composition Institute
Faculty to be confirmed
2025 Dates to be confirmed
Princeton, New Jersey
The CSMP hosts Composition Institutes with world-renowned composers so that emerging composers can study the craft of sacred music and contribute towards the Church’s “treasury of sacred music.” Composition Fellows have their compositions premiered, performed and recorded by a professional choir.
Conducting Institute
with Dr. James Jordan and Dr. Timothy McDonnell
2025 Dates to be confirmed
Princeton, New Jersey
Hone your choral skills with professional choral singers and bring your small ensemble singing to the next level.
Choral Institute
Faculty to be confirmed
2025 Dates to be confirmed
Princeton, New Jersey
Study the art of choral conducting with renowned pedagogues James Jordan and Timothy McDonnell at Princeton University.
-
![]()
Making music as an expression of our Faith with young Catholic musicians devoted to the improvement of sacred music made for a heavenly experience. I felt privileged to receive instruction from such renowned faculty and was profoundly encouraged in my work as a parish music director.
– Yuko Unehara, 2021 Participant
-
![]()
It's easier to realize the significance of this Sacrament when you have a wonderful choir singing beautiful music such as Palestrina's Mass for Papae Marcelli... it's a great help to prayer and worship and my thanks, our thanks, to the musicians.
– George Cardinal Pell, To CSMP Choir During 2022 Festival
-
![]()
Being a part of the CSMP Choral Festival brought renewed hope for the future of sacred music.
– April Mayer, 2021 Participant
-
![]()
The CSMP Choral Festival was the perfect marriage of artistic excellence and spiritual edification. It was an ideal balance of high-level music making, professional networking and informative interest sessions. It was a tremendously inspiring experience, and I would recommend it to any Catholic musician looking for a refreshing week of professional development.
– Josh Wang, 2021 Conducting Fellow
-
![]()
The world class faculty not only offered excellent, professional musical instruction, but also demonstrated a passion for sacred music stemming from deep, personal religious conviction. I would highly recommend the festival to Catholic Church musicians seeking to hone their musical craft and deepen their understanding of the Faith.
– Dr. David O'Donnell, 2021 Conducting Fellow
