Maestri della Schola Romana

We cordially invite you to the 3^rd Concorso Corale Internazionale "Musica Sacra a Roma". Amateur choirs from all over the world dedicated to the cultivation of sacred choral music are invited to participate.

In the tried-and-true tradition of competition performances and representative evening concerts in the magnificent churches of Rome, together with official events such as a Mass in St. Peter's Cathedral, for example, a festival is being organised which will further the comparison between choirs as well as making music together and spiritual encounters.

The 3rd Concorso corale internazionale "Musica Sacra a Roma" will focus upon the works of the main representative of the "Schola Romana", Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina, and the vocal polyphony strongly influenced by him. Likewise, composers of his time and their compositional techniques, as well as their influence extending to the present day, are a chief feature of the competition.

The term "Schola Romana" (Roman School) is used to designate a group of composers who were active at the Papal Chapel in Rome during the 16^th century. Their work is primarily sacred music, especially masses and motets. Typical elements of Franco-Flemish polyphony school fuse with Italian fullness of sound and melody in the Schola Romana. Palestrina's masterworks, in particular, had a great influence on the artistic production of his time. They form the basis for the entire further development of Western polyphonic music, extending to the present day.

Although the representatives of the Schola Romana occupy the centre of attention, there is a broad spectrum for choirs of all kinds dedicated to the cultivation of sacred music, and representing different religions in an Ecumenical sense, to participate in the Festival and the Competition.

Flyer 2009 (PDF 368 KB)