Advertise on podcast: Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast

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4.9

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You've got questions about sacred music? Here's your chance to learn what the Church teaches and envisions for music in the sacred liturgy. Welcome to Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast with your host Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka. We address topics of interest both to priests and liturgical musicians, as well as a general audience of Catholics interested in learning more about the Catholic Church's teachings and treasury of sacred music. Our topics range from discussion of Church documents on sacred music, to the music of certain composers or eras, Gregorian chant, the role of music in Catholic education, and techniques for directing a better choir rehearsal. We'll interview bishops, priests, music directors, composers, teachers, philosophers, and theologians. We'll talk to people who found a home in the Catholic Church because they heard the call of Christ in the Church's sacred music. We'll ask questions about how really great music programs are doing their work. We'll introduce you to Catholics who love their faith and, through sacred music, offer all their efforts for his glory and the sanctification of all who hear them. We aim for our podcast to be thoughtful, encouraging, and informative. We hope, too, that it will inspire and motivate you to work for the renewal of authentic beauty in sacred music—whether you're a working church musician or an average Catholic in the pews wondering what's going on. With the prayers of our patronesses, Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom and Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity, we hope to help draw souls to Christ through the beauty of the Church's sacred music. Square Notes is the official podcast of the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music. http://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/

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Check latest episodes from Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast podcast

SE08 EP15 - The Solar Horarium & Monastic Fast According to the Rule of St. Benedict, Plus Praying the Chant & Making Beer - with Fr. Augustine Wilmeth, OSB, Prior at the Benedictine Abbey in Norcia

2026/06/29

Fr. Augustine Wilmeth, OSB, Prior and Choirmaster of the Abbey of San Benedetto in Monte in Norcia, Italy, joins us to discuss the rootedness of monastic life in the daily ebb and flow of sunrise and sunset, and how that changes throughout different seasons of the solar and liturgical year. We talk about the effect of singing Gregorian chant on the soul and interior life, and the beer that the monks brew. For more information about the Abbey, visit: https://en.nursia.org/ To buy Birra Nursia in the U.S., visit: https://birranursia.com/ To learn more about the graduate program at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, visit: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/events/

SE08 EP14 - Conflict Resolution, Work-Life Balance, and Avoiding Burnout As a Church Musician - with Angela Rosson

2026/06/22

Burn-out, conflicts, and lots of responsibilities often afflict the church musician. Counselor Angela Rosson joins us to talk about strategies for setting up personal boundaries, positively resolving conflicts with superiors and those under our charge, and how to tell if one is getting burned out (and what to do about it). Connect with Angela Rosson here: https://mycatholicdoctor.com/resources/doctors/angela-rossonmycatholicdoctor-com/ Learn more about the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music's summer-based graduate program here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/graduate-study/

SE08 EP13 - A Masterclass in the Magisterial Compositions and Style of Palestrina - with Thomas Neal

2026/06/15

Join us for a deep dive on the life and work of the most magisterial of composers, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Thomas Neal narrates a biography of Palestrina, touching on the composers who influenced him, how he learned music, his various posts at the heart of the Church in Rome, his connection with St. Philip Neri, and his successful career. Purchase Neal's newest book on "Sacred Music in Early Modern Italy" here: https://www.brepols.net/products/IS-9782503621852-1 Learn more about Neal's work here: https://www.newcollegeschool.org/page/?pid=19&staff=157 Learn more about the graduate program, Choral Institute, and McInnes Fellowship of the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/ensembles/mcinnes-fellowship/

SE08 EP12 - Caring for Temples of the Holy Spirit: The Busy Church Musician's Guide to Nutrition, Health, and the Immune System - with Dr. Lizbeth Alter

2026/06/12

A board certified physician in family medicine and in functional, anti-aging and regenerative medicine, Dr. Lizbeth Alter joins us to discuss some of the basics church musicians, often short on time and money, can consider in caring for their health through food, nutrition, and navigation of the immune system. Check out Dr. Alter on social media: https://www.instagram.com/lizbeth_alter_md https://www.facebook.com/DrAlterCompleteWellness https://www.youtube.com/@DrAltersCompleteWellness Or on her websites: https://lizbethaltermd.wixsite.com/completewellness https://xyngeniumnx.com/ Learn more about the graduate program at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/graduate-study/

SE08 EP11 - Learning & Living Gregorian Chant as a Monk - with Fr. Mark Bachmann, OSB, Choirmaster of Clear Creek Abbey

2026/06/04

Fr. Mark Bachmann, OSB, of Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma joins us to describe the origins of his Abbey, its rich chant history, and a monastic approach to learning and praying Gregorian chant. To learn more about Clear Creek Abbey, visit: https://clearcreekmonks.org/ To learn more about Laus in Ecclesia, visit: https://www.lausinecclesia.com/ To learn more about the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, visit: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/graduate-study/

SE08 EP10 - All About Sarum: Ceremonial, Chant, Sources, and Processions from Medieval England - with Dr. Christopher Hodkinson

2026/04/16

Sarum use or rite? Where did it come from? How was it governed? What's unique about the ceremonial? How does the chant sound? What's the deal with all the processions? Can one celebrate the Sarum rite now? Learn all about the medieval English rite in this episode with Dr. Christopher Hodkinson. More information and registration about our Spanish-language online workshops: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.regfox.com/talleres-virtuales-primavera-2026 More information and registration for the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music's Summer Chant Camp for singers ages 8–17: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.regfox.com/chant-camp-2026

SE08 EP09 – Is Beauty a Transcendental, Why Beauty Matters, and Can We Be Wrong About Beauty? Philosophical Questions Every Church Musician Should Consider with Dr. Margaret Hughes

2026/04/08

Join us as we tackle some of the tough questions that inform how church musicians can help their parishioners love the Church's beautiful treasury of sacred music. Dr. Margaret Hughes, a tutor at Thomas Aquinas College in Massachusetts, joins us to discuss whether beauty is something superficial and ultimately distracting from the things that really matter for the Christian, whether beauty is really a transcendental property of being, and whether it's possible to make a wrong judgment about the beauty of a piece of music. RSVP for Dr. Hughes' lecture on Thursday, April 18th here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lecture-how-listening-to-music-with-friends-points-us-to-beatitude-tickets-1977339170688

SE08 EP08 - Chant Accompaniment, Organ Building, and Fundraising for Organ Projects - with Dr. Christopher Berry

2026/03/26

Dr. Christopher Berry, Assistant Professor at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, joins us to discuss why we should learn to make up our own chant accompaniment, how to determine the course of an organ building project, and how to fundraise for said project. Learn more about Dr. Berry here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/faculty#berry Learn more about summer graduate study with Dr. Berry at CISM here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/summer-courses/

SE08 EP07 - Developing Great Vocal Technique for Singing Chant - with Dr. Rosemary Heredos

2026/03/24

Breath support, dynamics, tremulous notes, VIBRATO? How can we best sing the Church's chant with beauty, elegance, reverence, and good technique? Dr. Rosemary Heredos breaks it all down in the context of learning to sing through a semiological approach to chant, navigating working with different teachers, and transitioning to chant from singing opera. Learn more about Dr. Heredos's class, "Advanced Seminar in Gregorian Chant: Vocal Technique and Semiological Performance Practice," June 29 to July 3 here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/summer-courses/ Applications for non-degree-seeking students remain open until May 1st.

SE08 EP06 - What Did American Sacred Music Sound Like in the 19th & Early 20th Centuries? A Snapshot from St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York - with Salvatore Basile

2026/03/20

Have you ever wondered how sacred music programs in America were run and what kind of music they sang in the 19th and pre-Vatican II 20th century? Salvatore Basile, author of Fifth Avenue Famous: The Extraordinary Story of Music at St. Patrick's Cathedral, joins us to discuss how sacred music sounded in New York, especially as St. Patrick's. We discuss the impact of Pius X's motu proprio, Tra le Sollecitudini, the influence of operatic music on repertory and choice of voices, the incorporation of chant and polyphony, and the development of the music department from parochial backwater to "America's parish" in a cultural and financial world capital. Buy Basile's book here: https://a.co/d/0haXk4DJ Learn more about summer graduate classes at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/summer-courses/

SE08 EP05 - Lenten Reflection for Church Musicians - with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone

2026/03/18

Join Archbishop Cordileone for a Lenten reflection especially for church musicians and those who love the Church's sacred music. The reflection is followed by the recitation of a scriptural rosary. For more information on other upcoming events at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, visit https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/events/ For access to texts to use to pray the scriptural rosary, visit: https://scripturalrosary.org

SE08 EP04 - From Chant to Counterpoint: How to Improvise Polyphony - with Dr. Charles Weaver

2026/02/25

Dr. Charles joins us to bridge the gap between monophonic and polyphonic music through the practice of improvising choral music based on chant melodies. We talk about early techniques and how-to treatises from the 9th century, all the way through Baroque fauxbourdon, as well as the changes in notation that these practices prompted, and the composers in whose music one can hear training in these practices. For more information on the class Dr. Weaver is teaching on this practice of improvising polyphony on chant, "cantare super librum," July 27–31 at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, visit: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/summer-courses/ To attend the March 7th conference at St. Vitus in Northridge, California, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/music-for-worship-and-leisure To sign up to attend Archbishop Cordileone's Lenten online "retreat" for musicians and admirers of sacred music, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-lenten-retreat-with-archbishop-cordileone-for-church-musicians-tickets-1982364153547

SE08 EP03 - The Art of Organ Improvisation: Insights from Martin Baker

2026/02/21

Martin Baker, a distinguished choral conductor and organist, joins us to share insights on his improvisation at the organ, from his time as a young child, through his winning of the Tournemire Prize at the St. Alban's Competition and his time at Westminster Cathedral, through his current work as a concert organist and composer. To learn more and apply for the July 20-24, 2026 Organ Improvisation class Baker is offering at the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, visit https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/summer-courses/

SE08 EP02 - From Puebla Cathedral to Today's Spanish-Speaking Pews: The Legacy of Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla - with Fernando Gil

2026/02/16

Learn about the musical practices, pedagogical processes, maestros de capilla, and composers of Mexico's cathedral in Puebla de los Angeles from Fernando Gil, who directed a schola cantorum there before coming to the United States. Gil, director of music at St. Peter's Cathedral in Kansas City, Kansas, takes us through the masses and villancicos from Padilla, helps us understand the context of missionary Mexico and the colonial styles, and discusses what can be applied to the pastoral context in Spanish-speaking congregations in the United States and Mexico today. To sign up for the upcoming online workshops in Spanish offered by the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music, please visit: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.regfox.com/talleres-virtuales-primavera-2026 To learn more about Puebla's cathedral, Padilla, and villancicos, check out these publications: https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/545314/727602 https://saintpaulsunday.publicradio.org/features/0210_missamexicana/index.html https://www.ipm.org/show/harmonia/2019-08-21/music-baroque-mexico-fernandes-padilla-murcia https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/americas/article/abs/mexico-city-cathedral-music-16001750/FC6ADFE4D5C6BBF307B9C107BDFDE992 https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=yjmr https://www.internationalchoralmagazine.com/post/american-music-of-the-early-17th-century-the-cancionero-de-gaspar-fern%C3%A1ndez https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2021/06/music-scholar-secures-funding-to-study-sacred-sounds-from-the-mexican-baroque.html https://scholarworks.iu.edu/iuswrrest/api/core/bitstreams/59761061-f248-4619-9be2-040bf1cd8f7f/content

SE08 EP01 - Building a Beautiful Homeschool Curriculum for Art and Music - with Elizabeth Lemme

2026/02/11

Join us for this inspiring season opener to discuss curriculum which imprints on the child's senses, mind, and soul a longing for the source of all beauty, God himself. Musician, artist, and homeschooling mom Elizabeth Lemme shares her criteria for evaluating the worthiness of a work of art for study, and her lists of composers and painters that make up the daily fare of her children while she teaches them at her kitchen table. Visit Mrs. Lemme's Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PelicanPrinteryHouse Learn more about the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music's graduate program here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/graduate-study/ "And therefore, I said, Glaucon, musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful, or of him who is ill-educated ungraceful; and also because he who has received this true education of the inner being will most shrewdly perceive omissions or faults in art and nature, and with a true taste, while he praises and rejoices over and receives into his soul the good, and becomes noble and good, he will justly blame and hate the bad, now in the days of his youth, even before he is able to know the reason why; and when reason comes he will recognise and salute the friend with whom his education has made him long familiar." Plato's Republic, Book 3, tr. Jowett.

Podcast reviews

Read Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

116 reviews

★★★★★

The SergeantMom 2025/09/17

Beautiful!

This is a 5 star! It’s amazing to hear the story behind the music. I have learned so much, especially from the Tenebrae episode. Thank you!

★★★★★

MamaMayerle 2025/05/04

Diverse and Interesting!

I am enjoying listening to this podcast! I appreciate the diversity of topics related to Sacred Music and have learned so much. Favorite episodes incl...

★★★★★

AbeLeach 2025/04/22

Thank you!!!

Great source of information for continuing education and formational development! Thank you!

★★★★★

a_dumb_ox 2024/04/29

Amazing

Great, fr fr no cap ngl its poggers

★★★★★

gotersw 2024/03/08

Excellent, practical discussion of serious sacred music

Thank you for a wide variety of guests, a knowledgeable host, and an inspiring outlook. I always enjoy and look forward to each new episode.

★★★★★

Joseph Hromy 2024/02/28

Great historical information on the Catholic Church

This is one unique catholic podcast on the history of the Catholic Church and it’s music. Highly recommended

★★★★★

Joezweite 2022/12/30

Cardinal Sarah interview

This interview should be required listening for all clerics and liturgical musicians. Wonderful!

★★★★★

Pro Musica 2020/09/17

Thoughtful and Valuable Work

A well produced work that brings insight and appreciation to music and worship from a reverent and knowledgeable point of view.

★★★★★

MWesthead 2020/07/27

Really great Catholic podcast!

Definitely a must-listen podcast for anyone wanting to learn about sacred music!

★★★★★

BenJoeFred 2020/07/13

A valuable resource!

As a music director at a Catholic seminary, I have found these episodes to be of great value. I consider it a sort of weekly professional development....

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