We hope you enjoy these photos from the 2006 Sacred Music Colloquium.

Professor William Mahrt demonstrates the Guidonian Hand to the 8th century hymn "Ut queant laxis," between classes at the CMAA/Ward Center Sacred Music Colloquium, June 2006.

Watch the video here.

Scott Turkington on organ, playing the postlude ("Final" from the First Symphony by Louis Vierne) at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, Washington, D.C., Sacred Music Colloquium, June 25, 2006.

See the video here.

The last day of the conference, Franciscan Monastery, Washington, D.C.. This is not the entire group. Click image for a larger version.

More on the changing tune at the Vatican from Sandro Magister.

As reported at the Catholic World News, and blogged at the New Liturgical Movement:

Genuine renewal in Catholic music 'cannot be achieved except by following the great traditions of the past, of Gregorian chants and sacred polyphony,' said the Holy Father, speaking after a June 25 concert at the Vatican. This musical tradition, he said, is 'a priceless spiritual, artistic, and cultural heritage.'

The Pope spoke at the conclusion a concert that emphasized 16th- and 17th-century sacred music, held in the Sistine Chapel and presented by the Domenico Bartolucci Foundation, directed by Msgr. Domenico Bartolucci. The Pope saluted that foundation, especially for its commitment to promoting the 'Roman School' of polyphony-- which, the Pontiff noted, 'has always been characterized by its focus on the pure voice, without instrumental accompaniment.'

Msgr. Domenico Bartolucci was named director of the Sistine Chapel choir by Pope Pius XII in 1956, and served in that role until his retirement in 1997. Although he was over 80 years old at the time of his replacement, the appointment of a new choir director (Msgr. Giuseppe Liberto) by Pope John Paul II (bio - news) was widely interpreted as a sign of the Pope's decision to de-emphasize the music of the 'Roman School' at papal ceremonies. At the time, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was openly saddened by Msgr. Bartolucci's departure."

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Franciscan Monastery
1400 Quincy St. N.E., Washington, D.C.
12:00pm, Saturday, June 24, 2006

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The schola cantorum assembled as part of the Sacred Music Colloquium, sponsored by the Center for Ward Method Studies of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at the Catholic University of America, in collaboration with the Church Music Association of America, will assist at this special Mass at the beautiful and historic Franciscan Monastery in Washington, D.C..

The choir will sing all Latin propers of the Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, along with a Mass setting in Gregorian Chant from the Graduale Romanum. The polyphony will include the "Justus ut palma" by Palestrina and the Tantum Ergo by Durufle.

If you have never toured his wonderful monastery, this is your opportunity to see the gardens and grounds, and hear the magnificent organ on this solemn feast. The choir will sing the Mass in precisely the normative form encouraged by Benedict XVI, John Paul II, and Pius X.

It is a rare occasion to experience liturgy of the past and future, sung with musical precision and a spirit of faithfulness to the Magisterium.

Concerning the Summer Colloquium (June 20-25):

• There are more registrants than ever before, which is great news for sacred music
  
• A new schedule is posted, with some meeting-room location changes
  
• Additional information for registrants only is available
  
• A book table will be open in Ward 221, with many Solesmes books and other out-of-print titles available
  
• There is still time to register, but you should not delay