Autumn Academy of Sacred Music 2026 in Rome
For the first time, the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music invites choir singers, music educators, religious, priests, and seminarians to participate in an exclusive event designed to inspire, educate, and deepen your faith through the power of music.
Join us for a transformative week that combines the spirit of a music festival, a dynamic choral workshop, and a contemplative prayer retreat—creating a harmonious blend of faith and artistry. The experience culminates in a mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrating the sacred beauty of music at the heart of the Church.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exceptional event in the Eternal City. Secure your place today! Only 100 spots available.
Immerse yourself in the depth of the sacred music tradition
From the timeless beauty of Gregorian chant to the richness of contemporary sacred compositions.
- Track 1 – Choral Singers
- Track 2 – Teachers and Educators
- Track 3 – Seminarians, Priests and Religious
“In Christ, we become singers of grace.”
Pope Leo XIV
Photo © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Participation Tracks
Throughout the week, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn from world-class professors, take part in hands-on workshops, and become part of a vibrant international community of musicians, scholars, and singers.
Track 1 – Choral Singers
Are you an experienced choir singer who wants to deepen your understanding of Sacred music? Join our International Choir Track and sing under the direction of the professors of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music. Expand your sacred music repertoire, refine your technique, and take part in choral performances in the heart of Rome. This track is designed for singers who are comfortable performing a cappella works like Sicut Cervus and feel capable of learning a standard Latin Mass, such as Mozart’s Coronation Mass. Read more...
Track 2 – Teachers and Educators: Professional Development
Do you teach in a Catholic school and wish to bring the beauty of Gregorian chant to your students? Are you a church musician who would like to share the musical treasures of the Church with the youngest members of your community? This track offers practical training and a creative new teaching method to help you communicate the joy and meaning of chant in a way that is engaging, accessible, and enjoyable for young learners (up to age 14). A professional development certificate may be issued upon completion of the course. Read more...
Track 3 – Seminarians, Priests and Religious
Are you a seminarian or a religious seeking greater confidence in singing the liturgy? This track offers vocal coaching and workshops in Gregorian chant to strengthen your ability to sing the prayers of the Holy Mass and the Divine Office. No musical background is required. Read more...
All three tracks are offered in English. Other languages may be available during individual sessions, depending on availability.
Our Faculty
Fr Robert Mehlhart OP
Walter Marzilli
Luca Buzzavi
Inga Behrendt
Fr Vincent Ferrer Bagan OP
Fr René Hernández Vélez
Kristi Bryson
Event Coordinators:
Fr Lukasz Misko OP
Aleksandra Jerkov
Register early and save
No Lodging
Conference participation
- Full access to all TRACK workshops and social activities;
- All-inclusive meals.
Single Room
Conference participation + Lodging
- Full access to all TRACK workshops and social activities;
- All-inclusive meals;
- Lodging in a single room (including breakfast) at walking distance locations: Piccole Ancelle di Cristo Re or San Juan de Ribera - read more about lodging.
Twin Room
Conference participation + Lodging
- Full access to all TRACK workshops and social activities;
- All-inclusive meals;
- Lodging in a twin room (including breakfast) at walking distance locations: Piccole Ancelle di Cristo Re or San Juan de Ribera - read more about lodging.
Attendance and participation FAQs
General Event Information
- Where does the event take place? The International Week of Sacred Music is held at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome.
- What is the “spirit” of this event? It is a unique blend of a music festival, choral workshop, and prayer retreat designed to transform how you listen, sing, and pray.
- Where is the final performance held? The week culminates in a final Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
In which language are the liturgies celebrated?
The liturgies are celebrated in Latin in the ordinary form. English translations will be available.
Participation & Tracks
- What skill level is required for the Choral Track (Track 1)? This track is for experienced singers who are comfortable with a cappella works (such as Sicut Cervus) and can learn a standard Latin Mass (such as Mozart’s Coronation Mass).
- Can I participate if I have no prior musical background? Yes. Track 3 (Seminarians and Religious) requires no previous music background and focuses on building confidence in singing the liturgy.
- Is there professional credit available for teachers? Yes. A professional development certificate can be issued upon completion of Track 2.
- What languages are used for instruction? While English is the main language of teaching, instruction for the Seminarians and Religious track can also be offered in Spanish and Italian.
Logistics & Registration
- Are meals provided during the week?
Yes, the organizers provide food on-site, including both lunch and dinner. - How do I arrange for a place to stay?
You can conveniently book lodging at a location near the event site directly through the registration process. - Who will be teaching the workshops? You will have the opportunity to learn from world-class professors and faculty from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music.
Academy location
In 1983, St John Paul II assigned the entire building of the Abbey of San Girolamo in Urbe to the Institute, where teaching and liturgical activities have been carried out ever since the 1984-1985 academic year.
Address
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About us
The Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music was founded by St Pius X in 1910. The Institute was inaugurated on 3rd January 1911 and confirmed by the papal brief Expleverunt on 4th November of the same year. On 10 July 1914, with a rescript of the Secretariat of State, the Institute was declared Pontifical and granted the faculty to confer academic degrees. Benedict XV assigned the palace of Sant’Apollinare as the Institute’s residence, moving it from its previous location in Via del Mascherone (16th October 1914). Pius XI, with the Motu proprio Ad musicæ sacræ restitutionem (22 November 1922) gave it statutes, confirming its immediate dependence on the Holy See.
The Institute pursues the following objectives: to teach liturgical-musical disciplines from a practical, theoretical and historical point of view, to promote the knowledge and dissemination of the tradition of sacred music and to foster artistic expressions of that tradition appropriate to today’s cultures, to render on behalf of the Mother Church of Rome a service to local Churches throughout the world with a view to training church musicians and future teachers in the field of sacred music. The Institute fulfils its mandate through teaching, research, publication, and concert and liturgical performance.