Australian Church Music Courses

Catholic Institute of Sydney, Strathfield NSW
Certificate in Pastoral Liturgy - Music Unit

This basic introduction to Roman Catholic liturgical music is embedded in a pastoral liturgy course, therefore pastoral and liturgical concerns take precedence. The syllabus does not include advanced instruction in the technical, theological and musical skills, and detailed historical knowledge, necessary for the professional practice, teaching and composition of liturgical Catholic music. Rather, the course provides a general overview of the history of Catholic music, its modern repertoire, music administration and copyright systems, and the valued place and function of Church music as an essential element of today's Catholic liturgies. Students who already have Church music skills may be given opportunities to demonstrate these in the context of pastoral liturgy. Students who have liturgical responsibility for Catholic music in parishes are advised to apply certain rules and criteria in selecting appropriate musical repertoire for pastoral liturgies.