While many kids these days are listening to Justin Bieber on their iPods, there is one group of Fairfield County youth who are gearing up to sing Gregorian chant at the 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid this August, the gathering of the world’s Catholic youth, for prayer, adoration, catechism, and entertainment with Pope Benedict XVI.
This unique group of young adults, ages 9 to 18 from St. Mary Parish in Norwalk, Connecticut, has been singing together for nearly three years as the St. Mary’s Student Schola , formed by organist and choirmaster David J. Hughes. A schola differs from a church choir, in that they are dedicated to the teaching and practice of chant, the music Pope Benedict calls the “supreme model of sacred music.”
Chant is a form of music that is making a comeback in the Catholic Church. With Pope Benedict’s recent lifting of restrictions in the celebration of the 1962 Traditional Latin Mass, churches in Connecticut , and nationwide have begun to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass, including the music that is specific to it, Gregorian chant, with its unmatched purity and timeless beauty. While chant is making a slow turn toward mainstream, David Hughes admits it is not something that the youth at World Youth Day may readily recognize. Then why sing it?
Hughes believes, as many popes including John Paul II and Benedict XVI have written, that chant, unlike any other genre, aids in the spiritual formation of all Catholics. “Chant is prayer taking shape in the form of song,” he says. “Chant is not a sonic overlay to prayer, but rather is prayer itself.” Hughes is certain it will reach the youth at World Youth Day, and lead them deeper into praying the Mass. "I have every confidence that the intrinsic prayerfulness of chant… will be experienced by the youth that hear these children sing."
Along with the St. Mary’s Student Schola will be the Sisters of Life,who will join St. Mary’s in singing polyphonic motets, the sister-form of Church music, featuring four or more voice parts. While singing motets is particularly challenging, this group of youngsters takes it in stride, although realizing practice is the key. “I love to hear the kids practice while doing the dishes every night,” says the aunt of Zacchaeus, Therese, Maximilian and Kateri Lock, all members of the Schola. “It’s a great experience,” says Zacchaeus, age 15, the oldest of the Lock family. “I like its great complexity and beauty; you’re singing it and praying it.”
What Zacchaeus describes as complexity, is the unique multi-faceted nature and richness of chant. “It’s simple, it’s accessible, it has such a beauty and rich tradition,” adds Angela, the Lock quartet’s mom. Hughes agrees, that with the average age of his Schola student being 13, World Youth Day participants will recognize in them that accessibility. “They will hear and see children much younger than they, and realize, so why can’t we?”
You won’t need to travel to Madrid to experience this extraordinary music and the Schola. They will be in concert on Friday night, July 22, 7:30 p.m., at St. Mary Church, 669 West Avenue in Norwalk, along with the Sisters of Life. The Schola also recently released a CD. Proceeds from both the concert and CD will benefit the trip, which is raising funds to fly the Schola members and necessary chaperones to Madrid. Tickets for the concert will be available at the door. To purchase tickets or their CD, make a donation, or find out more about the Schola, visit their website: www.chantwith.us.
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