Welcome, Greenbelters!
Thank you for joining Harmonising the Soul. Whether this is your first encounter with Gregorian chant or you have sung it before, I hope this workshop offers a space to slow down, listen deeply, and discover the beauty of singing together.
Over the past three years, this workshop has grown out of a series of gatherings within our churches in Llangollen, where we have explored the timeless practice of chant as both music and prayer. During our time together, we’ll learn and sing a chant together, touch on its fascinating history, and explore a few of the ways that sound, harmony, rhythm, and breath can influence our sense of wellbeing, attention, and inner stillness.
Gregorian chant has been sung for centuries, carrying voices across generations. Its melodies have echoed through monasteries, cathedrals, and sacred spaces. Many people experience chant as a bridge between the outer and inner worlds—a way of becoming more present, more connected, and more aware of the sacred mystery that surrounds and sustains us.
The twelfth-century abbess, composer, mystic, and Doctor of the Church St Hildegard of Bingen understood this profound relationship between music, body, and spirit. Writing in defence of sacred music, she described chant as a reflection of heaven itself:
“Consider, too, that just as the body of Jesus Christ was born of the purity of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, so, too, the canticle of praise, reflecting celestial harmony, is rooted in the Church through the Holy Spirit. The body is the vestment of the spirit, which has a living voice, and so it is proper for the body, in harmony with the soul, to use its voice to sing praises to God.”
There is something uniquely unifying about singing these ancient melodies together. As our voices blend, we become part of a living stream of sound that stretches far beyond ourselves, resonating with those who have sung these chants before us and with those who continue to sing them around the world today. In that shared resonance, we may catch a glimpse of the deeper harmony that underlies all things—a harmony that Hildegard believed echoed the very music of heaven.
This workshop is not intended to be an in-depth study, but rather an invitation: a chance to experience chant for yourself and to glimpse some of the insights, mysteries, and beauty that continue to draw people to it today.
Below you’ll find a collection of resources, including music downloads, books, recordings, and further reading, should you wish to continue exploring beyond the workshop.
May your journey into chant be joyful, enriching, and full of harmony.
Fr Lee Taylor
