Sign up for an in-depth Gregorian chant workshop with Schola Gregoriana director, Iain Simcock.
The chant course will run from 9:45 to 10:45, allowing time for Mass and lunch. It will recommence at 2pm in St Birinus church, culminating with Pontifical Vespers at 5pm for the feast of St Birinus.
The Schola Gregoriana of Cambridge was founded in 1975 by Dr Mary Berry, a Cambridge musician and musicologist, in order to ensure that Gregorian Chant should continue to be taught, and that all those who wished to sing and study this profoundly spiritual and ancient music should be able to do so.
Mary Berry was a Roman Catholic nun (Canoness Regular of St Augustine) and held positions at Newnham College, Cambridge, and was a respected authority on early music. She Founded the Schola to promote, teach, and perform Gregorian Chant. The group became known for its high-quality recordings and research.
She was awarded a CBE for her services to plainsong and the Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. She is the author of the influential book Plainchant for Everyone and a long-time contributor to Gramophone magazine.
Mary Berry died in 2008. Her funeral was held here in Dorchester Abbey and she was buried in the St Birinus church cemetery. We owe her an enormous debt, in the preservation and performance of chant. During the festival, do take a moment to visit her grave and pray for her.
Iain Simcock is a distinguished British organist, harpsichordist, and choral conductor who currently serves as the Director of the Schola Gregoriana of Cambridge. He succeeded Dr. Mary Berry and Jeremy White in this role, building on their legacy of teaching and performing Gregorian chant.
Course Schedule:
At St Birinus Church:
- 9:45 - 10:45 first session
- 2pm - 3pm second session
- 3:15 - 4:15 third session
Dorchester Abbey:
- 4:30pm - 4:50: short rehearsal in situ
- 5pm Pontifical Vespers, sung by all participants.
