Diocesan musicians' workshop will be offered virtually

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SALT LAKE CITY – This year’s diocesan Musician’s Workshop will be offered online, due to the pandemic restrictions on social gatherings.

As with many other Church offices, the diocesan Office of Worship started looking into ways to keep offering the faithful opportunities to continue their religious formation despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“The committee felt it was important to continue to offer formation despite the current situation,” said Ruth Dillon, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, adding that this virtual event will allow musicians to gather safely for fellowship as well as to learn more about their ministry.

Inviting all diocesan musicians to participate in the workshop, Dillon said the virtual gathering will be a good way to discuss what might be possible as far as offering music ministry, and different ways to look at things as the current situation keeps changing.

 “This virtual gathering gives us that opportunity to do it safely so that everyone can participate, and provide much-needed formation,” she said.

The importance of all diocesan musicians participating in this virtual event relies on the fact that continuous formation is basic for the development of the person.

“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy,” states the Second Vatican Council constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium.

Following that tradition, “one of the goals of the diocesan Liturgical Music Committee is to promote the formation and development of musical leadership in the parish. Formation is key to fully implementing the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, and the committee has been very instrumental in sponsoring this formation opportunity for over 10 years,” Dillon said.

In addition to having the opportunity to share what is happening in their parishes, workshop participants will discuss the diocesan guidelines for singing during the pandemic.

There also will be a presentation by the Office of Worship, titled “Navigating the Liturgy When the Unexpected Happens.”

The virtual workshop will be offered in English; in the spring there will be a formation opportunity for Spanish-speaking musicians, Dillon said.