Local Students to Perform Gregorian Chant at World Youth Day

Three years ago, ’s organist and choir master David Hughes started a chant camp to give young people a week-long emersion in Gregorian chant.

“It’s the music that has first place… I always talk about it as sung prayer, it’s not background music, or music to create a relaxing environment,” Hughes explained.

The overwhelming response to the chant camp program led him to found Saint Mary’s Student Schola, which today is made up 75 nine to 18-year-olds who come together to perform sacred music. The 25 members of the advanced and polyphonic groups in the Schola will travel to perform at World Youth Day in Madrid next month.

“They’re fantastic kids, really on fire with this music,” Huges said. “They come in every week with all sorts of questions, questions of a musical nature, but also philosophical questions about the role of chant in the life of a practicing Catholic.”

Tim Lock is the father of four members of the Schola — ages 9, 11, 12, and 15 — he also serves as an assistant to Hughes.

“It’s really a unique experience where we have David Hughes, an extremely talented musician, and he’s taken average kids and taught them chant,” Lock said. “It’s a huge part of our Catholic liturgical tradition.”

The Student Schola performed with the Sisters of Life in New York City this past December. A few months after the performance, Hughes received a call and learned that the Sisters of Life were organizing the liturgies for World Youth Day and asked Hughes to bring the Student Schola.

World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain is a time for Pope Benedict to meet young Catholics from around the world for prayer and fellowship. On August 17 and 18, Saint Mary’s Student Schola will serve as the choir for the English-speaking masses at the Palacio de Deportes.

“The main purpose is to act as ambassadors of chant, — the children are going to sing for the English-speaking masses in a giant sports stadium, [which] holds 10-12,000 people. We’re showing people what Gregorian chant is because I think it’s safe to say most young people have not experienced it.”

While in Spain, the group will also have a chance to perform at the Cathedral of Toledo and at the Carmelite Monastery in Avila, Spain.

Local audiences can get a taste of the beauty of Gregorian chant at and see first hand the talents of these young people.

“I think people will be surprised by the kids singing this music and by just how much they enjoy it,” Lock said. “It brings joy to your heart.”

Tickets to Friday evening’s concert are a $25 or $50 donation per family at the door. CDs are available on the organization’s website and sales will also help to fund next month’s trip.