Fr. Tobias Colgan, OSB, leads a workshop on July 20, 2022, focused on chant for the parish musician. COURTESY OF FR. COREY D. BRUNS
Beauty, simplicity and richness of Church’s tradition explored at chant workshop
BY MIKE BOGDAN, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
On July 30, more than 35 music ministers from various parishes and other diocesan institutions attended a workshop on chant for the parish musician sponsored by the Office of Music. Fr. Tobias Colgan, OSB, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey and vice rector of Saint Meinrad Seminary, was the clinician for the workshop. Held in the newly-restored St. Joseph Parish in Bowling Green, Fr. Colgan’s humor, knowledge and deep love of the Church’s musical tradition engaged the participants as they explored one of the Church’s musical treasures. The music ministers sang psalms to melodies composed by Fr. Colgan — some of which are sung all over the world.
The day ended with singing some of Fr. Colgan’s music for Mass. The beauty, simplicity and richness of which was enhanced by the lovely acoustics of St. Joseph Parish.
Mike Bogdan is the director of the Office of Music for the Diocese of Owensboro. Learn more at https://owensborodiocese.org/music.
Originally printed in the September 2022 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.