The St. Agnes Parish Schola was founded in 2023 to glorify God and serve the faithful by bringing to life sacred music from our rich Catholic heritage. Comprised of singers from St. Agnes parish and beyond, the group has grown rapidly in number and repertoire, embracing the Church’s living musical tradition through a mix of polyphony, homophony, and chant. Our musical range includes works by sacred music composers from the medieval period to today, as well as original arrangements of hymns, psalms, and antiphons by our Schola director.
The Schola has sung for Masses at parishes and retreats throughout the Philadelphia area, including at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, as well as at Malvern Retreat House.
The Schola sings in several musical Forms: Polyphony, Homophony, and Chant
- Chant is a type of sacred music sung in unison without accompaniment, typically in Latin or Greek, and often features more simplistic melodies that are easier for congregations and choirs to master. One chant that the Schola sings at our Masses is the “Kyrie” from the Missa de Angelis.
- Polyphony is a type of music where two or more independent (but related) melodic lines are sung simultaneously. Much of what the Schola sings is polyphonic, including one of our favorites, Jesu Rex Admirabilis by Palestrina.
- Homophony is a type of musical texture where one voice has the melody or is the primary focus, while the other parts provide harmony. Many times homophonic pieces are also homorhythmic, meaning the different voice parts have a very similar rhythm (i.e. they change notes at the same time). The Schola typically sings acapella homophonic arrangements of hymns that are found in church hymnals, such as O God Beyond All Praising.
The St. Agnes Schola is thus named because we were formed—and are based out of—St. Agnes Parish in West Chester, PA. St. Agnes herself is an inspiring figure in our faith, having been martyred as a teenager in the 4th century.
Additionally, the St. Agnes Schola has a series of patron saints whom we have adopted over the last few years and from whom we draw inspiration and strength. These include:
- St. Margaret of Cortona
- St. Frances Cabrini
- St. Cecilia
“Bringing the Church’s Musical Heritage to New Life: The St. Agnes Schola.”
To learn more about the Schola and its formation, read an article written by Schola member Mary Ryan that was published in the West Chester Catholic publication The Local Fold.
