Sacred Music Institute
Sacred Music Institute
The Sacred Music Institute (SMI) at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology (MTSM) provides a center for both public musical performance and educational outreach in the realm of Catholic sacred music. The Institute serves parishes, priests and musicians in Catholic dioceses across the region by providing events and resources to those interested in and passionate about sacred music.
The Institute will sponsor the Music & Liturgy performance series at MTSM, an annual summer conference – which will celebrate its fifth year in July 2023 – and courses and lectures focusing on important topics in sacred music.
At the center of the SMI will stand Pasi Opus 29, our new organ which will be installed in 2023. This instrument will support and accompany the liturgies and performances at MTSM.
August 11, 2023 Update
Exciting progress continues to be made at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology (MTSM) on Pasi Opus 29, as the first two stops have had pipes installed – a Principal 8 and Viola 8.
To commemorate the occasion, MTSM Music Director Dr. Mary Catherine Levri took time to play part of Christus, der ist mein Leben (Christ, He is my Life) by 17th century German composer Johann Pachelbel. To view the video, see above.
Thank you for your support of the MTSM Sacred Music Institute and Pasi Opus 29!
Join Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology (MTSM) and the MTSM Sacred Music Institute (SMI) for the 2023 Fall Lecture, on Wednesday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Bartlett Center at MTSM.
The lecture will be given by Dr. Kevin Vogt, Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Kansas and the Director of Music at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish in Leawood, Kansas. The title of the lecture is ‘The Embodiment of Harmony: A Theology of the Organ in Catholic Worship’.
The 2023 Fall Lecture is open to the public and admission is free. For more info on the 2023 Fall Lecture, click here.
Join us for our sung liturgies and choral concerts in our musical home: The Chapel of St. Gregory the Great. Our performances will feature both the Athenaeum Chorale and Mount St. Mary’s Latin Schola, as well as some of the finest instrumentalists in Cincinnati. Come take in the beauty of the space and the glorious sounds we are offering this season.
Sunday, October 8, 2023 • 7 p.m.
Blessing of New Organ Pasi Opus 29, with Solemn Vespers and Choral Concert
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, celebrant
Dr. Michael Unger, guest organist
Athenaeum Chorale
Mount St. Mary’s Latin Schola
Athenaeum Chorale Chamber Orchestra
Sunday, November 12, 2023 • 7 p.m.
Dedication Concert for Pasi Opus 29
Dr. Kola Owolabi
Professor of Organ, University of Notre Dame
Featuring a variety of works by Bach, Kerll, Correa de Arauxo, Weckmann, Alain, Laurin and Eben
Thursday, December 7, 2023 • 7:30 p.m.
First Vespers for the Immaculate Conception
Athenaeum Chorale
Mount St. Mary’s Latin Schola
Sunday, February 4, 2024 • 7 p.m.
Faculty Organ Recital
Dr. Mary Catherine Levri
Featuring works by Scheidemann, Bruhns, Bach, Alain, and Duruflé
Sunday, March 17, 2024 • 7 p.m.
Solemn Passiontide Vespers, with a concert of sacred music
Mount St. Mary’s Latin Schola
2024 Sacred Music Institute Conference
Save the dates for the 2024 Sacred Music Institute Conference, July 24-26, 2024. The theme for 2024 will be ‘Splendor and Majesty Are Before Him: The Power of Musical Worship’.
The SMI will offer its fourth annual conference for priests and church musicians. The conference features keynote lectures, breakout sessions, choir rehearsals and sung liturgies in which all attendees will participate. This conference has become a popular event for those interested in renewing their parish music programs and is already bearing great fruit in the Cincinnati area and beyond.
Registration information will be provided when it is ready.
