SYLLABUS

Unit 1 | Movable DO, Solfège, and the Four Line Staff (2.5 hours)

Introduction to the Oral Tradition, and relationship of sacred text and melody. Trace development of western musical notation via digitized manuscripts — from staffless (adiastematic) neumes to the four line staff.

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Establish method and processes for developing sight singing skills on the four line staff. Receive customized tools to assist independent, daily sight singing practice at home.

 

A live, group Sight Reading Session (90 min.) with instructor concludes this unit, and is required before receiving access to videos for remaining units. Live Sight Reading Session is not a test. Mistakes are a necessary part of the learning process. The purpose of this session is simply to support each student's development of new skills within a relaxed, safe, and encouraging space, and to establish a welcoming atmosphere for future Q & A, and for future interactions among students. See Calendar for details.

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Skills: solfège, tools and processes for developing excellent sight reading skills, build musical vocabulary for Modes I & II​​

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Unit 2 | Neumes & Notation (3 hours)

Origin of neumes, and definition. Rules for observance of the flat. Basic neumes, expressive neumes, rhythmic symbols, bar lines, asterisks, and “New Solesmes” notation. 

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Skills: identify the elements of chant notation using appropriate terminology, render essential neumes and rhythmic markings correctly, build musical vocabulary for Modes III & IV

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Unit 3 | Performance Practice (2.75 hours) 

minimum recommendation for Unit 3: Session I "Solesmes" - 44 minutes

 

Critical role of Solesmes Abbey in 19th century dissemination of a globally unified body of Gregorian Chant. Vatican Edition vs. Solesmes editions. Overview of challenges in determination of definitive “HIP” (Historical Performance Practice), and relevance of the Oral Tradition. Repercussions and related vocal considerations.

 

Compare and contrast four distinct performance practices, with focus on dynamics, rhythmic approaches, and overall sound:

• Solesmes Method

• Semiology

• Proportional Rhythm

• "Pérèsian" Chant

 

Skills: establish underlying reasons for existence of conflicting performance practices; identify foundational principles of four distinctive chant performance practices, and classify each according to its distinctive sound; determine a performance practice best suited to your personal needs and circumstances
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Unit 4 | Preparation and Rehearsal (3.25 hours)

Unit 4 includes 41 minutes devoted to Latin pronunciation, and 35 minutes devoted to Daniel Saulnier's rehearsal techniques.

 

Origin and larger frame of reference for the sacred, chanted texts. Seamlessly integrate text and melody. Prepare the modal landscape for learning a new chant. Practical considerations for unison singing.

 

Latin: methods to introduce a Latin text to a choir, paths to decipher general meaning of a given text, and proper ecclesiastical pronunciation, highlighting common pronunciation pitfalls. 

 

Skills: develop comfort with pronunciation and translation of a given Latin text, experience integral relationship between text and melody, implement simple modal strategies for teaching a new chant to a choir, build musical vocabulary for Modes V & VI

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Unit 5 | Liturgy, Planning, and Resources (4.75 hours)

Unit 5 includes optional:

• 41 minutes devoted to the Second Vatican Council, distinction of Old and New liturgical calendars & Old and New forms of the Mass

• 45 minutes devoted to chant resources for the New calendar and chant resources in the vernacular

• 1 hour and 8 minutes devoted to troubleshooting sample repertory/planning questions

 

Role of Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in distinction of two separate organizations of Gregorian chant: two calendars / two liturgical forms. Side by side comparison of both liturgical calendars and both forms of the Mass, and a thorough treatment of associated terminology (e.g. Propers, Temporale, Sanctorale, Commons, and Ordinary).

 

Overview of 4 key liturgical chant books for the Mass (Parish Book of Chant, Liber Usualis for Old Form, and Gregorian Missal or 1974 Graduale Romanum for New Form). Additional go-to resources for chant in both forms of the Mass, and an optional session covering several chant resources with music set in English. Bonus: introduction to the Cantus Index and its digitized chant manuscripts.

 

Integral role of genres of proper chants within the Mass, and how these liturgical purposes determine key compositional characteristics.

 

Skills: navigate liturgical chant books on both calendars, including specific instances which require extra diligence to determine the correct liturgical chants; develop research skills to learn more about specific chants of interest, identify compositional characteristics of various genres of chant and how these uniquely suit them to the Mass
 

Unit 6 | Eight Gregorian Modes (3 hours)

Tie together various key aspects of the Gregorian modes as have been laid out over the duration of this Level I course: 4 finals, the dedicated reciting tone for each mode, and the ambitus which distinguishes odd-numbered (authentic) and even-numbered (plagal) modes. Why division of even and odd modes exists: relationship of freely-composed antiphons of the Mass to their verse melodies. Treatment of transposed chants, and how they relate to the four established finals of RE, MI, FA, and SOL.

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"Finally" (no pun intended), a giant bow will wrap up Level I: the "ethos" of the eight Gregorian modes, and the relationship of a given chant's mode both to the meaning of its text, and to its overarching liturgical function.

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Skills: build musical vocabulary for Modes VII & VIII, pair free-composed antiphons with their appropriate tones, relate chants back to 4 established finals (and associated sight singing exercises), identify modal relationships to deeper theological truths

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Live Group Q & A (90 min.)

ICA instructors love to answer questions! Student may sign up for participation in 1 live group Q & A session (max 5 students per session) during this course. Available dates and times to be provided upon conclusion of live group Sight Reading Session. (Cost of Q and A session included in Level I total tuition.)

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Private One Hour Lesson
Instructor and student will meet privately, to focus on the singing technique and artistry of a chant which has been chosen and prepared by the student. This lesson will also allow the student to touch upon any additional questions not otherwise covered during the course. Available dates and times to be provided upon conclusion of live group sight singing session, and must be completed within 10 week duration of course. (Cost of private lesson included in Level I total tuition.)