The Latest Trend--Gregorian Chant!

Jeffrey Tucker writes:

"The most exciting, vibrant, and young movement in Catholic Church music today involves the revival of Gregorian chant, and also the old and new music that flows from its stylistic sensibility and texts. Workshops around the country are growing larger. Sales of chant books are booming, to the point that distributors can hardly keep them in stock. Membership in chant-support organizations is growing. Discover this energy is as easy as typing a few search terms.

I'll only mention one program taking place in late September at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.. The Church Music Association of America, working with the John Paul II Cultural Center and St. John the Beloved parish in McLean, Virginia, have put together a Pilgrimage for people seeking to learn Gregorian chant. It is under the direction of chant conductor to the nation Scott Turkington.

Already one week before, more than 160 people have signed up to attend. This includes mostly young people, but also many middle-aged people seeking to upgrade their skills."

I'm sure this is off the radar screen of most people. It will be interesting to see how far it goes. There seems more and more evidence that young people are gravitating to formal and structured worship. I doubt that there are many 50-60 year-olds who can get a handle on this.

You can read the rest of the article here: