Sacred Music
Summer School
June 9-21, 2024
Princeton, New Jersey
Composition Institute/Choral Institute
June 9-15
The Catholic Sacred Music Project is excited to have its 3rd Conducting Institute this June. The CSMP Conducting Institute offers emerging and established conductors a singular environment that balances instruction, study, prayer, and conviviality in an atmosphere of collegial support and encouragement. This unique and exceptional training opportunity will be hosted on the beautiful campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.
Eight Conducting Fellows will receive premium podium experience at the helm of a 16-voice professional choir along with hands-on instruction from master pedagogues Dr. James Jordan and Dr. Timothy McDonnell. The music list for the Conducting Institute will represent various genres of sacred music drawn from classic and contemporary choral repertories, Gregorian chant, and traditional hymnody. Sir James MacMillan and Paul Jernberg will be present for conducting seminars the first two days of the Conducting Institute. Each day’s workshop sessions will be punctuated by sung Mass and Vespers, with service music conducted by Conducting Fellows and Conducting Auditors. The Conducting Fellows will conduct in a public concert at the Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel on Friday evening, June 21, which will conclude the Conducting Institute.
Applications may be submitted until April 22, 2024.
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by April 26, 2024.
Applicant Qualifications
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Applicants may be current university students, experienced amateurs, or professional church musicians seeking an opportunity for professional development.
Applicants must be available to attend the CSMP Conducting Institute with Sir James MacMillan in Princeton, NJ during the period of June 16-21, 2024 inclusive.
Conducting Fellow & Conducting Auditors
Conducting Fellows
Conductors fellows will be assigned a piece or two to prepare and conduct during the Conducting Institute , and will perform for the closing concert
Conducting fellows will conduct a piece or two during the daily liturgies.
Conducting fellows will have daily podium time with a professional choir
Conducting fellows will receive conducting instruction from Dr. James Jordan and Dr. Timothy McDonnell
Throughout the Institute, conductors will have the opportunity to share their progress with one another in a communal setting of constructive feedback and mutual support, and to collaborate with the singers.
Conducting Auditors
Conductors auditors will be assigned a piece or two to prepare and conduct during the Conducting Institute , and will perform during the daily liturgies. premiere concert by a professional choir in the Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel.
Conducting auditors will have podium with the choir of other conductors
Conducting auditors will receive conducting instruction from Dr. James Jordan or Dr. Timothy McDonnell.
Throughout the Institute, conductors will have the opportunity to share their progress with one another in a communal setting of constructive feedback and mutual support, and to collaborate with the singers.
Program Expenses
The total registration cost is $800 per accepted conducting fellow (limit of eight).
The total registration cost is $550 per conducting auditor (limit of eight).
Housing cost is $450 (6 nights at $75 per night) in on-campus housing at Princeton University.
Meal cost is $190.00 for lunches and dinners or $285.00 for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Partial scholarships may be awarded based on need.
Co-sponsored by
"I found myself being renewed in hope at meeting so many young musicians aspiring to serve our Church. And I was musically nourished through the incredible opportunity to meet and learn from Sir James MacMillan… I will certainly be attending again!"
— Colton Martin, 21
FAQs
Should I apply?
All composers eighteen years old and older are welcome and encouraged to apply. This program is designed to cultivate aspiring composers and to support established composers in their work. Please don’t not apply because you are afraid you won’t get in. You definitely won’t get in if you don’t apply!
Do I have to be Catholic to attend?
No, applicants do not need to be Catholic to attend the event. Those desiring to attend the event should be respectful of the Catholic Church and willing to contribute to her musical patrimony through their compositions at the Composition Institute.
Where will the conductors stay during the week?
Housing will be provided for the composers in downtown Alexandria where they can walk around the historic district and compose in the peace of St. Mary’s Basilica, in practice rooms with keyboards, or along the banks of the Potomac.
What will be the schedule for the week?
The week will begin at 3pm on May 21 at the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Alexandria and conclude at 3pm on May 27 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. During the week, May 22-26, the composers will having private composition lessons with Sir James, group workshops, daily Mass and Compline, and ample time for composing.
I have more questions…
Please email any questions you have to Peter Carter at catholicsmp@gmail.com
Get On the List
Registration is not yet open, express interest and get on the list and we will notify you as soon as registration goes live.