The group Schola Gregoriana de Murcia was founded in 1987, in the city of Murcia (Spain) under the name of "Música Vocal de Murcia". It was directed by José Solano Muñoz until February, 1993, and by Enrique González Semitiel until July, 2005. Since September, 2005, SGM is directed by Emilio Cano Molina.
This Schola arose from the union of a group of men, interested in the knowledge and performing of ancient music, and particularly gregorian chant. This aim was fullfiled from several view points: vocal technique, the study of the semiology and the respect for the spirituality and specific usage of this chant. The study is carried out from ancient manuscripts coming from the abbeys of Saint Gall, Laon and Einsiedeln, gathered together in the Graduale Triplex (Solesmes, 1979), Liber Usualis, Liber Hymnarius and Psalterium Monasticum.
The choir has enlarged its formation with Professors Francisco Javier Lara and Ismael Fernández de la Cuesta (former directors of the Choir in Silos Abbey), and also with the present director of Silos choir, Father José Luis Angulo. SGM has sung, together with the monks the solemn Masses on June, 8th, 1997, and May, 18th, 2003, invited by the Benedictine community. SGM has recently (November, 2004) analised part of their repetoire with Professor Ismael Fernández de la Cuesta, internationally acknowledged as an authority on gregorian chant.
The group is especially linked to the Franciscan community in Murcia, where it participates in the Offices at Christmas and Easter. It also collaborates with the University of Murcia and Easter "Brotherhoods" in Murcia and Alicante, as well as with official music campaigns.
With its numerous performances Schola Gregoriana de Murcia has contributed to the knowledge of gregorian chant by audiences in Spain and other countries: concerts in Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Huelva, Zamora,.... SGM has broadcasted a concert for Radio Nacional de España, participated in international music festivals in different cities in Spain; recorded a programme for the Argentinian TV from the Salzillo Museum (Murcia); given concerts in Lisbon and Porto (Portugal), Toulouse (France); performed together with flamenco singer Curro Piñana and guitarrist Carlos Piñana in the framework of the "Flamenco Summit" held in Murcia (March, 2004).
In July, 2005, the choir travelled to Rome to give a concert in the Church of Gesù (July, 9th) and sing the afternoon Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica (Vatican, July, 10th).
Recently (November, 11th) SGM has
given a concert included in a cycle of sacred music for the 1st University
International Eucharistic Congress, held in Murcia.
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