The Brisbane Oratory Music Program
The music program of the Brisbane Oratory in Formation is dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich tradition of the Sacred Music of the Catholic Church. Our music program is inspired by St Philip Neri, who founded the Oratory in Rome in the 16th century promoting and restoring sacred music to help people come to experience God through the beauty of musical harmony.
In keeping with the directives of Vatican II and the tradition of the Church we promote Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony, and utilise the organ, which are at the heart of the Latin Church’s musical tradition. We promote both the Latin language heritage of the Church as well as sacred works in the English language.
Our aim is to provide opportunities for people to experience the beauty and solemnity of this music, deepen their spiritual lives through contemplation, and support Western musical heritage by maintaining its foundations.
Our music program includes the Mary Immaculate Parish Choir, directed by Warwick Adeney, and composed of volunteer singers, which sings ancient texts of the Latin Mass in Gregorian Chant, sacred polyphony, motets, and hymns on Sundays and Feast Days. Our professional Brisbane Oratory Vespers Schola, directed by Tom Holownia, enriches our weekly Sunday Vespers with Latin psalmody, ancient hymns, polyphonic music, and English and Latin motets. We also have an English Mass with traditional hymns, as well as more recent Australian compositions in a traditional style such as Richard Connolly, with our cantor Eva-Marie Perissinotto. All of these are accompanied by our professional organist Peter Gasparin who skilfully accompanies our chant, supports congregational singing, and enriches our music program with his improvisation and musical pieces.
Throughout the year, we also hold Musical Oratories that showcase various kinds of religious music. These events are free admission and provide a unique opportunity for all to experience the beauty and majesty of religious music.
We also run workshops in Gregorian chant to encourage congregational singing and promote this heritage of the Church.
If you share our passion for sacred music and wish to contribute to our program you can make use of our music envelopes in the church or give electronically. Annerley Ekibin Catholic Parish BSB: 064 786 ACC 100018402. Please reference: MUSIC/Surname. If you do make a donation, we would love to hear from you so we can add you to our benefactors list.