Introduction to Sacred Music

.

Pontifex University

MSA Program

 

1 credit /4.25 CEUs

.Professor:.Matthew Williams

[email protected]

 

The course is offered asynchronously on our LMS, NEO.  To access the course and complete it successfully, you will need an internet capable device with sound and a current internet browser: either the current or the previous release of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, or Internet Explorer 11+ (for Windows 8 and previous versions), and Microsoft Edge (for Windows 10+) to run the LMS.  In addition, courses require the use of microphone and webcam, a PDF viewer, word-processing software compatible with Microsoft Office suite and a current email address. For help with the NEO platform see the Help Center in the LMS, found by clicking on the “?” in the upper right hand corner after you have logged in.  For log in questions, registration questions, or problems with missing content or content malfunctions, contact the teaching assistant, Elizabeth Froula at [email protected].

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Students will learn the types and place of sacred music in the Church, as well as a general overview of the history sacred music, reading Gregorian Chant. Classroom instruction will also incorporate music of the Divine Office and other ceremonies of the Roman Rite.

Promoting the use of music in the work of evangelization is an essential element to the program, and so the philosophy of church music and its influence on our culture is discussed through the study of both the theological and moral importance of good musical forms based on writings of popes, church fathers, theologians and philosophers.

 

COURSE-LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Define Sacred Music
• Distinguish and identify different types of Sacred Music, including their place in the history of Sacred Music
• Distinguish Mass ordinaries and Propers
• Discuss the use of instruments in the liturgy according to the magisterial documents
• Recognize and read basic chant

 

COURSE TEXTS:

This course relies on materials handed out by the instructor, which are available in the online course platform.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 

 

 

Grading is based on the scoring of four equal parts, described below: 

1/4 - In Class Quiz Scores

1/4 - Discussion Forum Participating 

1/4 - Recording and Skill Demonstration 

1/4 - Final Exam 

 

 

Grading Scale

Grade	Numerical Equivalent*	Grade	Numerical Equivalent*
A	94-100	C	74-76
A-	90-93	C-	70-73
B+	87-89	D+	67-69
B	84-86	D	64-66
B-	80-83	D-	60-63
C+	77-79	F	Below 60

* Grades will be rounded up or down to nearest whole number based on 10^th percent

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Students wishing to take this course for continuing education units must first submit an application. Transcripts are not required. 
• Students must complete all quizzes and tests.
• Final grade must be 79% or above. 
• CEU students do not need to submit papers. 

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COURSE OUTLINE:

The Introduction to Sacred Music Course consists of 15 online lessons (listed below) which include approximately one hour each of in-class and subsequent outside work. Assignments include reading, quizzes, online lectures, instructional videos demonstrating the skill of Gregorian Chant, recording yourself and uploading files to the Pontifex website, and other tasks given by the instructor.

 

Lesson Name	Description	Lesson Objective
What is Sacred Music	An introductory lesson for sacred music, introducing terms and important Church documents
The Types of Sacred Music	Distinguishes between liturgical and non-liturgical music; gives examples of appropriate music for liturgy	At the end of this lesson student will be able to distinguish between liturgical and non-liturgical music.
The Place of Sacred Music Part 1: The Mass Ordinary	Gives an overview of the Ordinary parts of the Mass, their place and their music	At the end of this lesson student will be able to identify the Ordinary parts of Mass.
The Place of Sacred Music Part 2: The Mass Proper	Gives an overview of the propers of the Mass, their liturgical place, their musical characteristics	At the end of this lesson student will be able to identify the Propers of Mass.
The Place of Sacred Music Part 3: The Divine Office	Gives and overview of the Divine Office, the various versions in use and the music that belongs to the Divine Office	At the end of this lesson student will be able to discuss the Divine Office, its versions and music.
Reading Chant 1	Teaches the basics of reading Gregorian chant starting with Solfege and identifying notes.	At the end of this lesson student will be able to identify Gregorian Chant.
Reading Chant 2	Teaches the basics of Gregorian chant moving into neumes, puncti and bar lines	At the end of this lesson student will be able to Identify neumes, punctilious, and bar lines.
Introduction to chant, its history and its development	A history of the development and use of chant in liturgical music	At the end of this lesson student will be able to discuss the development and use of chant in liturgical music.
Organum	Basic knowledge of the techniques of Organum	At the end of this lesson student will be able to recognize the basic technique of singing Organum.
Polyphony	Gives an introduction to polyphonic music and the great composers of this type of music	At the end of this lesson student will be able to recognize the basic technique of singing Polyphony.
Hymnody	Gives and introduction to hymns and distinguishes them from other types of religious music	At the end of this lesson student will be able to distinguish hymns from other types of religious music.
Hymnody 2	Discusses the types of hymns used in the liturgy and the place of hymns in the liturgy	At the end of this lesson student will be able to discuss the types of hymns used in the liturgy.
Psalmody	Modes and history of singing the psalms in Gregorian chant in Latin and English	At the end of this lesson student will be able to discuss the modes and history of Gregorian Chant.
The organ and other intruments	Principles and history of non-vocal sacred music	At the end of this lesson student will be able to discuss principles and history of non-vocal sacred music.

 

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PROPRIETARY INTEREST POLICY

Faculty are permitted to refer to notable past work and achievements (including publications and educational activities not offered by Pontifex University, and even those offered for personal profit) in their published biography on the Pontifex website and course promotions. In the context of educational activities undertaken for Pontifex University, including videos, live or recorded, teachers, can recommend or bring to the attention such work for students (even if for personal profit, for example, books or podcasts) but only with approval by Pontifex University and when it is related to the teaching purpose of the class.  An instructor’s related work will be noted in the syllabus as appropriate.  Instructors may use their own materials as required in their courses and learning events as long as the materials are appropriate for the particular learning event.

 

Failure to comply with this policy will result in a warning or administration modification of course materials. Violations of this policy should be reported to the Provost.