Ireland: Church music summer school opens

More than 100 singers and musicians from around Ireland are expected to attend the 49th Annual Irish Church Music Association's Summer School in Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth from tomorrow Wednesday 27 June to Saturday 30 June.

The theme of this year's summer school is Faith, Hope and Love and will reflect the events planned for each of the three days of the Congress of the upcoming World Meeting of Families in the RDS from August 22 to 24.

Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry will celebrate Mass on Friday evening at 5pm and afterwards will launch a collection of Mass settings in Irish by Irish composers.

Commenting ahead of the summer school Father Turlough Baxter, chair of the Irish Church Music Association, said: "This year we are building up to the historic visit of Pope Francis in August. Many of those involved in preparing the liturgy and music in parishes around the country will be preparing various events to prepare for this and the World Meeting of Families, and we hope that what we have to offer will be of help to all.

"The Summer School will begin tomorrow, and the Evening Prayer that day will be based on the liturgy that is to be celebrated in each Cathedral throughout the country to begin this historic event. On Friday Derek Mahady will give a workshop to introduce the music that will be used for the Morning Prayer and Masses in the RDS, as well as at the Papal Mass".

To add to this organisers are delighted to welcome John Bell from the Iona Community and also Philip Stopford, who will be present each day and will lead a standalone masterclass on Saturday. Those who wish to only attend this will just have the music for that day as part of their pack.

Last year An Leabhair Aifrinn (the Roman Missal in Irish) was published and to mark this initiative the ICMA school has invited John Jones to present a workshop of music in Irish. Some of this will be used for the Eucharistic Celebration on Friday evening.

Tomorrow evening, in conjunction with Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth there will be an Organ Recital with Sebastian Heindl.

On Thursday night Our Lady of Victories Gospel Choir, directed by Ciaran Coll, will perform. The choir is ten years old this year and has just launched a new CD.

On Friday night the school is hosting a "Come and Sing along Messiah". This will be directed by Philip Stopford.

For more information see: www.irishchurchmusicassociation.com