Chant Schola classes to be offered at Holy Family Parish

God created us to love what is good, true and beautiful. The Catholic heritage is ripe with beautiful art, architecture, literature, and not least of all, music. Some of history’s most gifted musicians wrote music for the glory of God at Mass, including Palestrina, Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Beautiful music glorifies God and helps us to raise our minds and voices to heaven.  

Mindful of the Second Vatican Council’s mandate that “much emphasis should be placed on the teaching of sacred music,” and of the important role that music plays in the cognitive, artistic and spiritual development of a child, Holy Family Parish in Little Falls (763 E. Main Street) is proud to offer The Chant Schola, a traditional Catholic music school for the youth. Classes will begin in September and are free to Holy Family Parish families as well as children in other area parishes. After all, our goal is to share the beauty of music! 

The Chant Schola music program will be held Sept. 18-May 14, and include Little Chant Schola (ages 4 and 5) from 9-9:45 a.m., and Chorister Schola (ages 6 to 11) from 10-11 a.m. Classes for both programs will meet every Saturday. Open house/registration days will be held on Aug. 7 and Sept. 4 from 9-10 a.m., at the parish. 

The instructor will be Colleen Rockwell, who is a well-trained and experienced professional in the field of both education and Gregorian Chant. After studying and receiving her degree in vocal performance, she spent many years as a Chant Choral member and cantor within the Diocese. Rockwell also founded the Chant School for families and children of the Latin Mass in Troy. We are fortunate that she is bringing her knowledge and devoted spirit to our parish.

The Chant Schola music program teaches the techniques of healthy singing, solfege, sight-reading and rhythmic analysis. Students will be educated in the music of the Church, with a particular focus on Gregorian Chant, and will learn about the importance of music in worship. Classes will be fun and children will sing, play games and enjoy socializing and sharing with their peers in a relaxed setting.

To learn more or to enroll, head to holyfamilylittlefalls.org/chant-schola-traditional-music-school-for-children. Father Brian Slezak has served as pastor at Holy Family since March 2020.