Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the Southeastern Liturgical Music Symposium is an annual gathering of musicians who share an interest in advancing the quality of Catholic liturgical music. This year’s symposium will be hosted by St. Jude the Apostle Church on August 24–25 and will focus on how to select appropriate music for the liturgical year, looking primarily to the season of Advent for examples.

St. Jude the Apostle is located at 7171 Glenridge Drive, Atlanta.

The symposium will begin with a concert of sacred music, followed by a wine and cheese reception, on Friday evening, beginning with registration at 7 p.m. and the concert at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be performed by the parish choir of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Atlanta, directed by Dr. Kevin Johnson.

Saturday morning will begin with Mass at 8:30 a.m., followed by a keynote address given by Father Uwe Michael Lang, a staff member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and a consultor to the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. Father Lang teaches at the Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana and in the master’s program in “Architecture, Sacred Art and Liturgy” at the Università Europea di Roma/Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum.

Two breakout sessions on Saturday will include presentations by nationally renowned musicians and feature topics including sacred music, musical resources and Advent music.

Presenters include Adam Bartlett, the president and editor of Illuminare Publications and director of the choir and schola cantorum of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Phoenix; Ed Bolduc, the director of music at St. Ann Church in Marietta; Jeff Ostrowski, pianist and composer; and Bob Hurd, teacher, composer and liturgist. The symposium will close with a panel discussion featuring the keynote guest and all four speakers.

Advance registration is $55, which includes lunch. Group discounts are available. Discounted hotel rooms are available at the nearby Staybridge Suites.