Spanish-language formation

The Center for Learning serves bilingual and Spanish-language parishes through celebrated in-person events: Instituto OCP and the OCP Workshop Series (Series Formativas de OCP). Offering liturgical formation and training for Hispanic pastoral musicians, these events are an invaluable resource for bilingual and Spanish-language parish music ministries. Learn more and book events for your parish below.

Instituto OCP

Offering liturgical formation and training for Hispanic pastoral musicians, these day-long events provide an introduction to music in the liturgy and the role of musicians in the celebration of the Eucharist. The day also includes an opportunity for hands-on learning for musicians.

Led by a team of two to four experienced pastoral musicians, our skilled presenters offer sound theological teaching and practical wisdom relying on the USCCB document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship/Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino and the repertoire of OCP’s Flor y Canto hymnal.

Plenary keynote

In this keynote presentation, participants are introduced to the foundational principles of pastoral music ministry as presented in the U.S. bishops’ document, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship/Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino. Topics include the role of music in the liturgy, the role of the pastoral musician, and the three judgments. Emphasis is placed on the role of the musician as disciple and minister. 

Two skill sessions

These sessions provide an opportunity for hands-on learning and are selected to address the needs of the local church. Skill sessions usually feature vocal technique, the guitarist as a liturgical musician and/or basic music selection for the liturgy.

Repertoire session

Featuring the songs of Flor y Canto, this session is focused on the season of the liturgical year as well as any specific ritual music that the host highlights as an area of need.

Interested in hosting an Instituto OCP?

Fill out this form to learn more about hosting an OCP Instituto event at your parish or diocese.

Interested in hosting an OCP Workshop Series?

Fill out this form to learn more about hosting an OCP Workshop Series for your parish or diocese.

OCP Workshop Series

The OCP Workshop Series or Series Formativas de OCP provides pastoral musicians across the country with formation opportunities on various subjects related to liturgy, music, ministry and spirituality. It is a great way to address the unique needs of the Spanish-speaking members of your diocese, parish, or ministry since the series is totally customizable. 

 

Each OCP Workshop Series is led by one qualified expert and consists of 10 hours of training on one particular subject. These can be presented in two or four sessions on a schedule and format determined by the host (with sessions taking place in person, virtually, with a hybrid format, or even on-demand). Customized to each host community’s needs, the series also offers various levels of difficulty (including beginner, intermediate and advanced content) for the topic of focus.

 

Customized for each host and centered on different subjects related to liturgy, music, ministry and spirituality, every OCP Workshop Series features:

  • Two to four workshop sessions (10 hours total)

  • Various levels of difficulty for each topic (beginner, intermediate, advanced)

  • Your choice of format (in-person, virtual, hybrid, on-demand)

FAQs

  • This day-long formational/training event provides an introduction to music in the liturgy and the role of musicians in the celebration of the Eucharist for Hispanic pastoral musicians. Specialized sessions and workshops on techniques and musicianship development are also offered. Areas of focus include the USCCB document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship/Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino, the liturgical year, progressive solemnity, the liturgical guitarist, the cantor, the choir, the liturgical percussionist, the liturgical ensemble, liturgical music selection and planning, and more.

    The event is led by a team of two to four experienced pastoral musicians with deep knowledge and practice in the focus areas. Emphasis is placed on the role of the musician as disciple and minister, the development of particular skills, and models for becoming better pastoral musicians.

  • Each Instituto OCP event is developed to form all musical servants of the liturgy. This includes music directors, choir members, cantors, accompanists, and instrumentalists. Musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend, including children and young adults. Parish and diocesan leaders are also encouraged to attend, including pastors, parish staff, diocesan personnel, etc.

  • The schedule for each Instituto OCP includes prayer, a keynote presentation on the foundational principals of pastoral music ministry found in the USCCB document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship/Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino, workshops and skill sessions, repertoire sessions featuring songs from Flor y Canto, and meals and other breaks. A list of past workshops and skill session topics is included below.

  • While each Instituto OCP event is planned with the needs of the local community in mind, the following schedule is typically used. A final schedule and outline of content is created with each host location:

    9:00 – 9:30: Welcome and morning prayer

    9:30 – 10:45: Plenary keynote

    10:45 – 12:00: Skill Session I

    12:00 – 1:00: Lunch

    1:00 – 2:15: Skill Session II

    2:15 – 2:30: Break

    2:30 – 2:30: Repertoire Session

    3:30 – 4:00: Evaluation and closing

  • The foundational resources are Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship/Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino (USCCB) and OCP’s Flor y Canto hymnal. Psalm resources, children’s resources, and other OCP core products may be used and referenced, as well as products specific to the artists/composers presenting.

  • Instituto OCP brings multiple benefits to your community. Certainly, participants leave equipped with essential formation and knowledge. Beyond this, however, participants leave with a greater sense of vocation, community and service. After their participation, those who attend Instituto OCP will:

    • Be inspired to devote more to their ministry (time, talent, treasure, etc.).

    • Have a better understanding of the role of the music minister in the liturgy.

    • Gain essential liturgical formation needed for effective ministry (increased knowledge of Church documents, structure of liturgy and rites, liturgical theology and catechesis, spiritual formation, etc.).

    • Gain essential musical formation needed for effective ministry (increased knowledge of musical skills, playing to support ritual, playing for liturgy v.s. performance, best practices, etc.).

    • Have expanded knowledge and awareness of resources to support liturgy and ministry.

    • Have a better sense of community and participation in a large ministry network.

    • Have a better understanding of the hierarchy and structure of the Church (diocesan offices, relationships, decision-making and authority, roles, etc.).

  • The following is a sample of the many workshops and skill sessions offered at past Instituto OCP events:

    The Spirituality of the Liturgical Musician

    Music as an Integral Part of the Liturgy

    Music Serves the Rite: Harmony Between Liturgy and Music

    The Music Minister: Believer, Disciple, and Servant

    Joyful Disciples: Praying and Singing Joyfully to the Lord

    One People, One Voice!: How to Guide the Assembly in Sung Prayer

    Music in the Liturgy: Source of Evangelization

    The History of Gregorian Chant

    Progressive Solemnity

    Singing in Harmony: How do You Begin?

    Musical Conducting: Who Follows Who?

    The Ministers of the Liturgy: United in the Mass, in Hospitality, and in Service

    Catechesis and Liturgy: Word and Sacrament

    Raise Your Voice to the Heavens!: Vocal Techniques

    Selecting Music for the Liturgy

    Music for Weddings, Funerals, and Quinceañeras

    The Role of the Musician in the Liturgy

    Digital Resources for the Liturgical Musician

    Improving the Sound of Your Music Ministry: Sound System

    Techniques for the Musicians that Support Congregational Singing

    Techniques for Developing the Voice of Your Choir

    How to Interpret Music Scores

    Basic Concepts for the Preparation of the Liturgy

    Proclaiming the Living Word: The Incalculable Worth of the Lector

    The Lord Invites Us: Music for Children's Choir

    The Family: Evangelization Unit

    The Three Musical Judgements: Music as the Service of the Liturgy

    The Rhythms in the Hispanic Liturgy

    The Rites and Texts from Triduum

    Commitment and Discipleship in the Season of Lent and Easter

    The Musician who Can't Read Music in the Liturgy

    Techniques for Instrumentalists: How to Organize Our Sacred Sound

    The Music in the Liturgy: How to Chose Music for the Liturgical Seasons

    The Ministry of the Cantor and Song Leader of the Assembly

    The Holy Mass: Font of all Grace and Blessing

    Basics for the Liturgical Guitarist

    Basics for the Liturgical Percussionist

    Vocal Techniques: The Music Director as Voice Teacher

    The Percussionist as Song Leader

    The Guitarist as Song Leader

    The Sacraments: Visible moments of Our Faith

    The Liturgical Team: Disciples First

    The Spirituality and Leadership of the Lay Ministry of the Church