On Jan. 23 a total of 115 participants, representing 23 churches throughout the United States, attended the 18th Annual Schola Cantorum: An Adult Choir Member Workshop, held on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Dr. Christopher Aspaas, assistant professor of choral/vocal music at St. Olaf College, served as this year’s clinician and trained, taught, and encouraged the singers as they learned several different compositions. The Schola Cantorum was open to all choir members, choir directors, and ministers of music. The schedule for the day included rehearsal sessions along with Morning and Closing Prayer services, at which the participants performed some of the music learned that day.

Participants commented, “The strengths of the workshop were the opportunity to be ‘professional’ and be reminded of what is possible with ‘average’ singers.” “Even when we work really hard there is time for fun!” “Outstanding, excellent, lots of fun, learned a lot!”

The Choral Reading Session was held in conjunction with the Schola Cantorum on Jan. 22 in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the Concordia Seminary campus. In this evening of choral and instrumental song, Dr. Aspaas previewed new and current titles of music with participants.

The 19th Annual Schola Cantorum will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. The clinician will be Dr. Timothy Peter of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. For more information about the Adult Choir Member Workshop, contact the Office of Continuing Education at 314-505-7486 or ce@csl.edu.