Fall Maine Sacred Music Conference
October 12-14 | Sacred Heart Church| Yarmouth, ME



REGISTATION DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3!
WE NEED TO PRINT WORKBOOKS SO PLEASE REGISTER AND LET US KNOW (EVEN IF YOU ARE A MAYBE...)

Join fellow Directors of music, cantors, and volunteer choir members from around New England for an enriching and transformative experience at the Fall Maine Sacred Music Conference for Fundamentals of Singing, Music Theory and Structure, Cantor Training, and Introduction to Chant.

Taking place on October 12-14, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church (Parish of the Holy Eucharist) in Yarmouth, Maine, this three-day workshop offers participants the opportunity to delve into the timeless beauty of chant in sung liturgy, transform their skills as cantors, master the art of music reading in the context of church choir rehearsal and explore vocal pedagogy under the guidance of distinguished international teacher of voice Michael Rocchio, and Angela Rocchio, founders of International Chant Academy, both of St Louis, MO.

Immerse yourself in sacred liturgy in the resonant early-20^th century stone church as you join the Sacred Heart Choir in singing the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart on Friday, October 13 at 6 PM, the Parish Novus Ordo Mass of Anticipation on Saturday, October 14 at 4 PM and the Novus Ordo High Mass on Sunday, October 15 at 11 AM.   Discover the essentials of sound vocal pedagogy for new and mature voices, be transformed as a cantor, unlock the secrets of music reading, and chant in a beautiful acoustic, all while enjoying Fall in the spectacular coastal setting of Yarmouth, Maine.   

Easy parking, walkable eateries, and the oceanfront just ten minutes from downtown…  If you are a church cantor or volunteer choir member, give yourself the gift of these three days!    If you are a music director in the Diocese of Portland, Diocese of Manchester (NH) or Archdiocese of Boston (MA) consider making a weekend of it with your cantors and choir! 

Accommodations are available in neighboring Freeport, Brunswick and Portland. 

Registration and schedule below.
Group, Student and Seminarian rates available.

Registration Options 

3-Day IMMERSIVE:

• Regular (3-day) $225.00 

         (Oct 12-14, 2023)  includes all workshop materials and snacks, beverages

• Student/Seminarian/Religious (3-day) $105

           (Oct 12-14, 2023)  includes all workshop materials and snacks, beverages

A LA CARTE ($75/per day)

• TH Fundamentals of Singing
• FRI Introduction to Chant
• SAT Music Theory & Structure and Transformative Cantoring

          (one or more days during Oct 12-14, 2023)  includes all workshop materials and snacks, beverages

Have a group?  - please call  207-847-6884
Early-Bird Pricing!  Save $50 off if you register by Sept 12!
Registration closes October 1, 2023

If you have questions, please contact us at pothe.music@portlanddiocese.org. 

All of these registration options include a non-refundable registration fee of $75.
 

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PAYMENT:

ONLINE PAYMENT LINK FORTHCOMING!!!       https://www.wesharegiving.org
OR MAIL OR DROP A CHECK MADE OUT TO "POTHE" 

PARISH of the holy eucharist
attn: Sacred music Conference
266 FORESIDE RD
FALMOUTH, ME 04105

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Angela Rocchio

Angela Rocchio | International Chant Academy

has been singing, teaching and conducting chant in sacred and secular settings for more than a decade.

Her interest in chant was sparked during a year in study within the monastic tradition, including daily singing of the Liturgy of the Hours. In 2008, she studied at the Abbaye Saint-Pierre in Solesmes, France, under renowned chant master, Dom Daniel Saulnier. She has studied under distinguished chant instructors from around the globe.

At the request of Bishop Jenky of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, Angela founded the Cathedral Chant School. As Director, she designed and implemented an extensive curriculum, and conducted chant for liturgies at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception.

"Her teaching method is honest, caring, gentle, and nonjudgmental. She takes you from where you are and teaches you that chant doesn't have to be scary, it can be simple and beautiful after ironing out the complexities. I HIGHLY recommend Angela Marie Rocchio if you are new to chant or merely need a "dust off”.
 

Michael Rocchio (left)

Michael Rocchio | International Chant Academy
is an alumnus of Indiana University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. His performance experience spans Opera, Oratorio, Early Music (Antiquity - Renaissance), Musical Theater and Television.

Michael is a highly-respected voice teacher, vocal artistry coach, and vocal arts workshop presenter. He has an uncanny ability to listen to a singer empathetically. He ‘feels’ in his own voice exactly what they’re doing with their voice, then coaches them how to correct it.

Michael was co-founder, executive director, and singer for the professional Early Music ensemble, Pro-Arte Saint Louis. He spent over a decade as a soloist and choir section leader at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

"Michael is a dedicated and effective teacher. He is personable and good humored and brings to his students the ability to execute the skills he teaches, so you are learning from someone who can teach from experience
and not only theory or observation."

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Conference Schedule - October 12-14, 2023

Day I (Thurs) “Fundamentals of Singing”
“Fundamentals of Singing”, a full-day learning experience staged from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 30-minute mid-morning break, 1 hour lunch, and a 30 minute mid-afternoon break. “Fundamentals of Singing” is experiential and highly participatory. Concepts and distinctions are presented in “shirt-sleeve” English followed by practical application through singing. Each segment builds on those which preceded. Students will learn proper, healthy singing technique, vowel formation, intonation, diction techniques, vocal blending, and distinctions in vocal excellence. Mr. Rocchio will share tips, tricks, and “cheats” that support singing with freedom, ease, power & projection, intonation, and diction.

"Michael's 'Fundamentals of Singing' workshop was extremely informative and thorough. His pedagogical approach to vocal technique makes him more than apt for teaching voice students at any level. The experience was highly participatory, complete with technique coaching for individual singers, and our group sound. During my studies at the University of West Florida School of Music high quality vocal workshops were regularly presented by distinguished artists. 'Fundamentals of Singing' provided the same high-quality instruction while being easy to understand, even for my less experienced singers. My well-studied musicians enjoyed the workshop just as much as those who had no previous coaching.

Day II (Fri)  “Introduction to Chant” 
“Introduction to Chant” Interactive, one-day (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 30-minute mid-morning break, 1 hour lunch, and a 30-minute mid-afternoon break) workshop facilitated by Angela Marie Rocchio. Participants will learn the fundamentals of reading chant notation, focusing on the relationship of chant melody to text. The importance and unique musicality of the chant modes will be revealed. Participants will learn by singing to artfully apply these concepts and distinctions to the performance of chant. The day will culminate in the group learning proper chants to be sung at Friday evening, Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses.

"The International Chant Academy truly helped to unlock my choir's confidence in chant and helped every singer to find their own voice. Michael and Angela have glowing personalities, a sense of humor, wonderful voices, and are very kind. My choir enjoyed their time with them immensely. I look forward to having them return."

Day III  (Sat)
Morning Session: “Fundamentals of Music Theory & Structure”
“Fundamentals of Music Theory & Structure” is a morning session (8 a.m. -10 a.m.) presented by Michael Rocchio. It is a participatory tutorial for choral singers who have little to no knowledge of music theory, or structure. Students will learn to recognize and develop facility with note and rest types and values, time signatures, conducting patterns and stress patterns, clefs, staffs & systems, key signatures, and expression markings. If time allows, we will touch on major and minor scales, chords and intervals.

Mid-Afternoon Session: “Transformative Cantoring”
“Transformative Cantoring” is a three quarter-day (10:30 a.m. – 3:30 pm) participative workshop co-facilitated by Michael Rocchio, and Angela Marie Rocchio. A cantor’s responsibility is to bring sacred text to life through song and deliver messages in a manner whereby the congregation truly hears it, reflects upon it, and takes it to heart. Sadly, most cantors sound uninspired. “Transformative Cantoring” is meant for singers already serving as cantors who are committed to learning how to be more effective in their role as a concelebrant. Participants will interactively learn the art and techniques of interpreting text and delivering their message with “intentionality.”  Several pre-selected individuals will cantor at the 4 PM liturgy at Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 14.  The day will end with an opportunity to reflect on the Mass at a local restaurant after the liturgy.
 

Congregational singing is encouraged and expected at POTHE.     

According to Joseph Jungmann:  "music is not merely addition to and adornment of the liturgy; it is itself liturgy,
an integrating element, which belongs to the complete form of the liturgy." 

In other words, you do not sing at MASS. 

You sing the MASS. 

Therefore the Eucharistic Acclamations, whether they come from Mass of Spirit and Grace, Mass of St Francis, or Belmont Mass (sung during Advent and Lent) are just one of many ways parishioners actively participate in the liturgy.  

Other ways include singing the sung responses to the celebrant's "The Lord be with you"... to which you respond..."and with your spirit"....    or singing the Psalm Responses and Gospel Acclamation. 

And of course you are free to abstain from singing if you prefer to worship silently. 

The old maxim, however, comes to mind: 

"He who sings, prays twice."  

If sung “well” (with sincerity and love), the words of a practitioner’s prayer
and the music they sing each simultaneously constitute acts of worship.

In fact, they form a gestalt expression of devotion, the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts. This merger is so effective that the
“… combination of sacred music and words, … forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy.”