Shanghai’s diocesan music school has completed its August session of sacred music tuition, with around 140 people receiving coaching on solo and lead choral singing and conducting.

The course was led by Wu Jiagong, a renowned musician and principal of Guanggi Music School. He was joined by a group of equally revered professional volunteers from mainland China and Taiwan, both Catholic and Protestant, including 96-year old Ma Geshun, a leading choral conductor.

“I feel I have a responsibility to do this,” said Wu Jiagong. “Sacred music has been developing very slowly in China because it lacks trained people.”

This was the school’s third consecutive summer course, teaching applied skills alongside music theory. “Building on the experience of the first two years, this year’s course has been much more practical,” Wu said.

Although tuition is free, the course requires all participants to be currently singing in Church choirs and recommended by their diocese.

“I’ve received some music education before, but I’ve gained a much clearer idea of the sacredness of Church music through this course,” said one participant, Sister Marian of Yujiang diocese.

“Liturgical music in China has lost its way with the disappearance of Latin Mass and the entrance of pop music in the Church, which has no sacred element,” said Chen Ruowang, who has attended all three years of the course.

“More parish choirs should be encouraged to learn and sing the traditional ensembles,” he said, “because singing is praying, doubled.”

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