Participants will learn Peñalosa's Missa Nunce Fué Pena Mayor, which will provide the ordinary of the Latin Mass. The retreat choir will also prepare some Gregorian chants and a variety of motets to be sung within the Mass.

Peñalosa's motets show that he was the most skillful Spanish polyphonist before Morales. This mass is based on a beautiful and intense song of Johannes Urreda, Nunca Fué Pena Major, which allow it to develop a characteristic Spanish intensity of expression. Peñalosa was a contemporary of Josquin des Prés and his style is a synthesis of the traditions of Franco-Flemish counterpoint with Spanish sonority.

Those who want to look at the Peñalosa Mass may attend reading sessions 7:30 p.m. Sundays, January 13 and 20 at Susan Barton's house, 9215 Forest Hills Blvd., Dallas 75218 (near White Rock Lake).

Retreat sessions begin Friday, January 26, at Gorman Hall on the University of Dallas campus; they will continue Saturday morning and afternoon. So that voices do not become fatigued, breaks and/or discussions of the music will occur during rehearsals.

After a Sunday morning rehearsal (for those with no church music commitments) and a Sunday afternoon rehearsal/warmup at UD, retreat participants will sing the Mass at St. Luke's.

All music will be rehearsed and performed a capella. Participants need not be professional singers, but should be proficient readers with a good sense of pitch.

We will follow the Saturday afternoon rehearsal with wine and cheese for all participants.

The weekend retreat is sponsored by the University of Dallas Music Department, Dallas Renaissance and Medieval Music, the Texas Toot, and the Renaissance Polyphony Project.


You may register online, but we must receive your deposit check by postal mail to complete your registration.



For further information, call Susan Barton at 214/327-6823 or email to svbarton@yahoo.com. Please share this information with other interested singers.