The idea of setting up this Association, has mainly derived from the need of creating a valid artistic and organizational support to the ever growing international choral and orchestral groups, wishing to perform in the field of sacred music in the most beautiful churches and cathedrals of Italy.

Choirs from all over the world are invited to hold concerts in the marvellous setting of the magnificient Roman churches in the heart of the Eternal City, not only to make the audience familiar with the choral music of their country, but also to perform some of the most famous works of international choral literature.

This experience will surely be for each choir a special opportunity of personal enrichment, an extraordinary artistic stimulus, and above all a reward to their enthusiasm and dedication towards sacred music.

The International Association Friends of Sacred Music which is under the artistic direction of Msgr. Pablo Colino, choirmaster at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, takes care of all arrangements concerning the concerts, including all technical and legal aspects and public relations:

- the choice and reservation of the concert venue - normally, concerts take place in the Sant'Ignazio church in the heart of Rome. This wonderful baroque church has a capacity of more than 2000 people, 1200 of whom can be seated, an eighteenth century organ, divided into two parts situated on both sides of the altar, and an excellent acoustics;

- all necessary authorizations from ecclesiastic and secular authorities;

- announcements of the concerts in the most important local and national newspapers and magazines;

- the printing and hanging out of posters announcing the concert;

- the printing of concerts programmes which will be distributed to the audience;

- assistance by specialized staff during the concert;

- invitation of the diplomatic authorities of the choir's country of origin;

On request:

- rental of every kind of music instruments;

- organizations of a local orchestra of soloists, etc.;

- photographer and recording audio and/or video.

The association is also able to organize for the choirs to sing liturgy at High Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and to participate with a song in the Holy Father's General Audience.

The choirs interested in holding concerts, should submit their request to the International Association Friends of Sacred Music, togheter with a short biography of the choir, a recent recording, and the planned musical programme. The material should arrive, at the latest, two months before the day of performance.

Furthermore the Association organizes yearly two international choirs competitions which have won great renown, and reached through the years a wider and wider international level, aiming not only at the fulfilment of the mere competitive instinct but also at the evidence of the unifying power of music, which promotes contacts among cultures, traditions and people.

The International Choir Festival "Orlando di Lasso" embraces the several aspects of both sacred and secular choral composition, thus quite reflecting the musical versatility of the Flemish composer after whom the Festival is named. This competition provides for a large number of different classes corresponding to the several levels and repertoires of the partecipating choirs. There are special classes for folksong choirs which perform exclusively folklore or traditional music typical of their home country as well as classes for choirs with a repertoire of classical music.

Finally, new choral music festival "Europe... and its songs" which will take place for the first time September 1998 in Barcelona, with the purpose to bring out the European folksongs. Choirs from all over the world , which have folksongs of our continent in their repertoire, can participate in this competition with various categories for male, female and mixed choirs and no compulsory works.

The choirs interested in participating in the above mentioned competitions should provide the requested documents, fill up in each part the registration form and send all the material to the International Association Friends of Sacred Music.

Don't miss the opportunity to join our Association by performign concerts in Italy and taking part in our competitions!

Membership Information

How to become a member?

Simply complete the enrollment form below and direct it to us by pressing the "enter" key.

Associate Member

The annual fee is 150 Euro. It is valid for the period from 1st of January until 31st of December. For persons under 26 years, for priests and members of religious orders the fee is reduced to 120 Euro.

Ordinary Member

Each member has a reserved seat in the about 40 annual concerts organized by the Association. Moreover the members receive an invitation for one person for the concerts on 22nd of November 2003 which will take place in the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, will perform the Creation by J. Haydn. Another invitation will be for the concert on 23rd of November 2003 in the Basilica St. John Lateran. The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Master Chorale of the USA directed by Paul Salamunovich will perform the Requiem of W.A. Mozart. These concerts are part of the 2nd International Festival of Sacred Music and Art.

You will receive a personal card which allows you to reach the location of the concert venue organized by the Association only 15 minutes before the beginning. You will also receive coupons which will give you admission to the two concerts of the Festival.

Subscribing Member

The minimum fee is Euro 5.000. Beyond the above mentioned services as a Subscribing Member you will have a reserved name seat in each of the extraordinary events and you will be invited to a cocktail reception with the artists at the end of each concert.

Form of payment

You can pay with a credit card, leaving the number and the expiry date, you can send a cheque to "International Association Friends of Sacred Music", Via Paolo VI, 29 - 00193 Rome, or make a wire transfer to "Associazione Internazionale Amici della Musica Sacra"

Credit Institute: San Paolo IMI, AG. 6, Via Gregorio VII, 127 - 00165 Rome, using the international bank code for transfers from outside Italy to Italy:

IBAN IT63 J010 2503 2061 0000 0002 834, BIC IBSPITTM.

For transfers from Italy to Italy use the following national code:

Cin: J - ABI: 01025- CAB: 03206 - Conto: 100000002834

Contacto

President and Founder: Sen. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans-Albert Courtial

Artistic Director: Msgr. Pablo Colino

Chapel Master of St.Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

COMMITTEE OF HONOUR

President: Mons. Valentino Miserachs Grau

Preside del Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra

Maestro di Cappella della Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore