St. Ambrose is one of our western fathers in the Church who understood the importance of music in the work of evangelization and in the formation and spirituality of Christians. In his honor and beneath his patronage, we have established this school to advance the cause and the place of plainchant and sacred music in the liturgy. Our “school” is not a physical building so much as it is a “schola” — that is to say, a group of dedicated Catholic musicians who take seriously the Church’s teachings on sacred music and chant, and who long to help others love this great patrimony of the Church.
Simply put, our goal is to help make chant accessible for the average parish no matter how large or how small. To that end, and as a group, we endeavor to help others in the following ways:
– We teach musicians how to read chant notation and thereby open up for them a whole new repertoire.
– We teach musicians how to read chant notation and thereby open up for them a whole new repertoire.
– We offer periodic gatherings for large and small groups of laity or clergy to help us, as Southern Catholics, to truly sing the Mass.
– We help Catholic musicians and pastors who are serious about our tradition to build professional relationships with other like-minded musicians and clergy around our region.
– We help musicians to learn more about the resources that are available to them in both Latin and in English, and maintain a small library of books for musicians to come and look through when making decisions for their parishes and choirs.
– We help to demonstrate the options available to various ensembles or congregations based on their particular musical abilities, their various levels of experience with chant, and their budgetary realities.
– We promote the appreciation of this great patrimony of chant, which is such an important part of our western culture, and we reinforce why these scriptural chants should be an integral part of our modern liturgical rite.
Our home is the little country parish of Our Lady of the Mountains in Jasper, Georgia. Below you will find our schedule of upcoming events. We have gatherings and workshops throughout the year offered for both clergy and the laity.
Dear friends, this patrimony of chant belongs to all of us. It is a treasure that surpasses the value of all the buildings and paintings and statues of Christendom, even though most of our parishes and cathedrals never, ever hear it. Let’s change that! If you want to form an alliance of musicians to know, to love, to preserve, and to bring to life this beautiful part of our spiritual patrimony as Catholics, then consider becoming a part of the St. Ambrose School of Chant.
For more information, contact Bridget Scott at olmchoirs@gmail.com, or by calling her at 770-380-1523.
Upcoming Events
Summer Sacred Music Workshop II will be July 22nd and 23rd at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in downtown Chattanooga, TN. More information will be forthcoming. Check back soon.