Schola Cantorum

The Schola Cantorum was founded in 2007 to provide sacred music for the celebration of a High Tridentine Mass at Holy Redeemer Church in Madison. The schola's first Mass was on Gaudete Sunday, 2007 for the celebration of the first Pontifical Mass at the Throne  by Bishop Morlino. Since then, the schola has assisted at Sunday Masses at Holy Redeemer.

Why Chant?

Gregorian chant continues the ancient musical heritage of the Roman Catholic Church.  Chanting has its roots in the Old Testament’s hymns, psalms and responses. It was also present in early Christianity. However, it was St. Gregory the Great (590-604), who compiled and codified chant (Antiphonarium and Graduale Romanum) into the system of notation we still use today. Contrary to opinion of many, Gregorian chant was not banned by Vatican II. On December 4, 1963, Pope Paul VI promulgated a document “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy” (Sacrosanctum Concilium). The document states that "the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites" (36.1). In the same document, the Council Fathers also teach that “The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services (116, 117).

Chants provided by a Schola are necessary for the conduct of a high Mass. In a low Mass, the priest read the Mass prayers from the Missal, though the Schola and faithful may sing some hymns. In a high Mass, however, the priest chants parts of the Mass and the schola chants the Propers and Ordinarily parts of the Mass.

Every valid Mass has infinite intrinsic merit. But a high Mass with a schola gives greater glory to God and provides a magnificent, prayerful experience for the congregation.

Join the Schola

Would you like to chant with the schola? Schola Cantorum rehearses on Tuesday  nights for about two hours. Being a schola member also requires a significant commitment of personal practice time.

Musical experience is helpful, but by no means necessary. The schola director can teach you the rudiments of chant and train you in proper vocal technique. More important - in fact, essential - is a love of the Mass and an earnest desire to strengthen your faith through chanted prayer. It's hard work, but the spiritual rewards are many.

Actions of the Holy See on Liturgy and Sacred Music - 1903-1974

• November 22, 1903: Tra le Sollecitudini (motu proprio) Pope Saint Pius X
• December 20, 1928: Divini Cultus (Apostolic Constitution) Pope Pius XI
• June 29, 1943: Mystici Corporis (Encyclical) Pope Pius XII
• November 30, 1947: Mediator Dei (Encyclical) Pope Pius XII
• May 28, 1948: Pope Pius XII creates Commission for Liturgical Reform
• Easter 1951: Easter Vigil restored by Pope Pius XII
• November 16, 1955: Maxima Redemptiones (Holy Week) Pope Pius XII
• December 25, 1955: Musicae Sacrae Disciplina (Encyclical) Pope Pius XII
• September 3, 1958: Feast of Saint Pius X - Instruction on Sacred Music and Sacred Liturgy Congregation for Rites (De musica sacra et sacra liturgia)
• January 25, 1959: Pope John XXIII announces Second Vatican Council
• December 4, 1963: Sacrosanctum Concilium Second Vatican Council (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)
• January 25, 1964: Sacram Liturgiam (Motu Proprio) Pope Paul VI
• September 26, 1964: Inter oecumenici (Instruction I on Constitution on Liturgy) Sacred Congregation for Rites
• March 5, 1967: Musicam Sacram (Instruction on Music) Congregation for Rites
• May 4, 1967: Tres abhinc annos (Instruction II on Constitution on Liturgy) Sacred Congregation for Rites