We have had to cancel Summer School 2013. There simply not enough applications to make the event either musically or financially viable.

The day with Jeffrey went very well about three dozen singers plus Bajon to explore some of the 17th repertoire from Latin America. Jeffrey made a mass setting by Padilla the core of the day and around were carols, hymns and villancicos several of which to be song in the local languages.

The hall was very cold for the first half we could have done with some of the climate from Puebla by the afternoon things were a bit warmer but the conditions did not spoil an excellent day.

The details for the workshop by Jeffrey Skidmore are on the workshops page. 

Take a sun-filled voyage of discovery into the hidden treasures of 17^th-century Latin America, where European, African and South American cultures combined to create a colourful fusion of musical styles. There will be something for everyone but the emphasis will be 'fun' and mainly vocal with music from Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and perhaps a taste of Brazil. Jeffrey has just got back from a research trip to this extraordinary country and has returned laden with gold and precious gems in the form of music and manuscripts.

Excellent day with John Nixon. The music challenging and some seriously tricky but under John's direction the day went well. A great help was that we had seen the music in advance. This I think contributed greatly to the success of the day - perhaps something to think about for future workshops.

Thanks to John and Peter for all the work in making this so sucessful and to the staff at Lancaster Cahtedral for letting us use this beautiful venue and to making us welcome.

Chant Workshop: The Ceremony of the Star

Saturday 19 January 2013, 10.30am-4.30pm

at St Agnes’ Church, Ullet Road, Liverpool L17 3BA

Liturgical dramas were types of plays usually based on a Bible narrative, and performed in a church setting. An addition to the official liturgy, they were performed in Latin, sung to Gregorian chant or other simple monody.

In the shadow of the feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on 6 January, we will study and perform one of the liturgical dramas for which Rouen and other French Cathedrals were famous: the Ceremony of the Star Officium Stellae, from 13th century Rouen.

The Officium Stellae followed the singing of the office of Terce. Three clerics, robed as kings, arrive from north, south and east and meet before the altar, their servants carrying the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Antiphons are sung, a procession is formed, and the Magi go to a place where the virgin Mary, attended by two midwives (priests wearing dalmatics) invites them to worship the Christ-child. The three kings present their gifts, and the clergy and people make their offerings while the Magi fall asleep, to be warned by an angel to avoid Herod by returning home another way.

The Ceremony originally preceded the Mass of the Epiphany, and we will study the chants of the Epiphany Mass. If time allows, we will also look at music for the Feast of Candlemas (February 2nd). The event will conclude with a performance of Officium Stellae and the Epiphany music.

The day will be led by Philip Duffy, Associate Director of the Schola Gregoriana of Cambridge, and former Master of the Music at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral.