Hamilton Colloquium: a unique experience!
Traditions in Western Plainchant
4th Annual Colloquium of The Gregorian Institute of Canada
August 13-16, 2009
McMaster University, Hamilton (Ontario, Canada)
The occasion was a rare one: musicologists and performers participating in the same event; theory and practice united, for the space of one hot and intensely busy weekend, under the common theme of Gregorian chant. People came from Canada, the United States, and Europe to share their knowledge and passion, to learn from one another, sing, and weave bonds of friendship.
On Thursday August 13th 2009, the Hamilton Schola Cantorum offered a charming mini-concert of plainchant at McMaster University’s Convocation Hall, inaugurating the Fourth Annual Colloquium of the Gregorian Institute of Canada, “Traditions in Western Plainchant”.
During three days of intense activity, conference papers and practical workshops concurrently unfolded without an interruption. More than fifty registered participants equally attended one or the other, and all participants appreciated the high calibre of the presentations, particularly those of our two special guests, musicologist Joseph Dyer from the United States, and Juan Carlos Asensio Palacios, Director of the Schola Antiqua of Spain. An exhibition from the Rare Books and Manuscripts collections of Library and Archives Canada, illustrating the importance of plainchant in Colonial Canada, was open to all. Many participants also came to sing, sometimes very early in the morning, at various liturgical offices led either by the Cantualis Choir of Kitchener/Waterloo, or by the members of the Hamilton Schola Cantorum
One of the colloquium’s high points was undoubtedly the Gala Concert presented at Hamilton’s Christ’s Church Anglican Cathedral by Montreal’s Schola Saint Grégoire, directed by Juan Carlos Asensio. A selection of works chosen from a wide range of plainchant traditions, interspersed with well-chosen organ pieces performed with distinction by Stillman Matheson, delighted the audience.
Other memorable events during this extraordinary weekend were the Saturday night banquet that provided an ideal occasion for socializing and enjoying a copious meal, and Sunday Mass, which was sung in the majestic Christ the King Cathedral of Hamilton. Once the Mass had ended, it was finally time to say goodbye, but not without one last group picture on the steps of the Cathedral.
(Photography: Juan Carlos Asensio)
Colloquium program.pdf
Gala Concert program.pdf
Photo Gallery
