Musica Sacra

THANK YOU to those who came to the workshop / Evensong @ The Abbey in Caboolture - it was a great success!! NEXT: 2 November @ St Andrew's - Sung Mass (8.30am) & Evensong (5pm). New Singers are alwasy welcomed!

Welcome to Musica Sacra

Music Sacra was established in mid-2006, soon after Jack returned from studying in Europe, by Brisbane Gregorian & Ambrosian Chant Scholar Jack Ho and his associate Lindsay Marsden.

In this modern world with all external disturbances, people are constantly looking for peace within their hearts. Musica Sacra aims to help provide this peace by bringing sacred music to our secular world.

Musica Sacra aims for musical excellence, providing quality sacred music in performance, ceremonies, and workshops. We consist of teaching staff and, as a new addition to Musica Sacra from 2007, a small ensemble consists of singers from across the choral ranges. We sing mostly a capella, though will often sing pieces accompanied by organ or other instruments or ensembles when opportunities arises.

The repertoire of Musica Sacra is quite large. Starting with Gregorian Chant, we'll take you traveling through the centuries by way of composers such as Palestrina, Bach and Mozart, through to more modern times of Britten, Durufle and Rutter.

Musica Sacra also gives Gregorian Chant / Early Sacred Music Workshops (and other music workshops!). Though mostly for primary and secondary schools, we're happy to give a workshop to any groups of people by request.

Though Ambrosian and Gregorian Chant (ancient Christian chant) is the main focus, Musica Sacra enjoys extremely rich cultural backgrounds and religious diversity in its members and events. Musica Sacra is proud supporter of the multi-faith movement and believes that music can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds, and that music can be a great way of dialogue between religions and different denominations.

All the singers, instrumentalists, and teaching staff associated with Musica Sacra value the safety of those with whom we work and teach. It is a requirement for anyone working for or associating with Musica Sacra to either hold a current Suitability Notice for Child-Related Employment (Blue Card), a current Queensland Teacher's Registration, or in the case of interstate performances or workshops, anyone associated with Musica Sacra will under go the appropriate procedure according to that particular State.

Teaching Staff of Musica Sacra

Mr Jack H.Y. Ho
Gregorian Chant, Early Sacred Music, Voice Techniques & Development
Jack's biography can be found in the Director's page of this website which can be accessed by clicking "Director"
on the left-hand side menu.

Ms Lindsay Marsden
Honorary Advisor
Lindy has been involved in studying/teaching in several areas of the Arts for most of her life. She studied classical dance for several years, taking exams set by the Royal Academy; and Speech and Drama to Grade 6 level AMEB with the late Rhoda Felgate.

A piano student for many years, Lindy studied to the level of Grade 8 AMEB, and ATCL [teaching]. After this, she briefly studied part-time with Max Olding at the Qld Conservatorium of Music before undergoing primary teacher training in Brisbane, majoring in music and literature.

Lindy has also studied post-graduate music education at Griffith University and the Clayfield School of Music. She has participated in many workshops with local and visiting specialists in areas such as early childhood music education, conducting and choral music.

Lindy has sung in choirs since primary school, and has enjoyed the experience of singing in venues ranging from local church halls to cathedrals and concert halls. She also regrets not having had more vocal training.

Currently, Lindy is a member of several choirs, and is excited to be involved in introducing a love of sacred music to a broader population, and especially the younger generation.

She has now retired after many years of being a primary teacher, but retains current teacher registration as well as a Suitability Notice for Child-Related Employment.