Music

The Latest

Appalachian folk band Scythian.

Rediscover ‘original beauty’ of Christmas music with Scythian’s new ‘Christmas Out at Sea’

Dec 20, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Scythian, an Irish folk band headlined by two Catholic brothers, wants to help you “rediscover the original beauty” of Christmas... Read more

Shane MacGowan on June 16, 2016, in London, England

Hard-living Irish musician Shane MacGowan received last rites before he died, family says 

Dec 1, 2023

By Matt McDonald

MacGowan was raised a Catholic and often used Catholic imagery in his songs, though he did not practice the faith... Read more

Multiplatinum-selling music legend Jimmy Buffett performs with the Broadway cast of the new musical “Escape to Margaritaville” at the 2018 A Capitol Fourth at the U.S. Capitol, West Lawn, on July 4, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

Jimmy Buffett: more Catholic than you think?

Sep 6, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The famous soft-rock musician who recently died of cancer was raised Catholic. One commentator believes his music contains Catholic themes. Read more

Scythian rocked a completely packed house full of over 2,000 Knights of Columbus and their families July 31, 2023, kicking off the Knights’ 141st Supreme Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention kicks off with Ukrainian brothers’ concert

Aug 2, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Scythian rocked a completely packed house full of over 2,000 Knights of Columbus and their families Monday night in Orlando,... Read more

Members of "Priests in Concert" perform to raise money for youth to attend World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Group of priests start band to raise money to send youth to World Youth Day 2023

Jul 16, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“Priests in Concert” is composed of nine priests from the Archdiocese of Washington. Read more

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Madonna seeks an audience with Pope Francis

May 6, 2022

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In a Tweet on Wednesday, Madonna asked Pope Francis to receive her so she could talk with him about "some... Read more

"Song of St. Joseph" cover art

This song will debut at the upcoming St. Joseph Summit

Jul 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

The upcoming Saint Joseph Summit will feature the debut of the “Song of Saint Joseph,” a new original song by... Read more

The Regensburger Domspatzen, a choir based at Regensburg Cathedral in Bavaria, Germany.

Girls’ choir to join 1,000-year boys’ choir at German Catholic cathedral

Jun 17, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Regensburger Domspatzen choir traces its roots back to the year 975. Read more

Sir James MacMillan.

‘It’s heady stuff’: A composer turns St. John Henry Newman’s much-loved words into music

Jun 9, 2021

By Luke Coppen

Sir James MacMillan’s new work “Nothing in Vain” is inspired by a meditation by the English saint. Read more

Pope Francis pictured on April 17, 2013. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis hails musicians’ ‘new creativity’ amid pandemic disruption

Feb 4, 2021

Pope Francis praised musicians on Thursday for showing “new creativity” despite severe restrictions imposed on their work by the coronavirus... Read more

CNA

Sacred music album recorded on eve of coronavirus lockdown storms Christmas charts

Dec 21, 2020

When the singers of the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School gathered earlier this year to create a new... Read more

'All are Welcome' not a welcome hymn at Mass, USCCB committee says

Dec 10, 2020

The doctrine committee of the US bishops’ conference (USCCB) earlier this year produced a guide to evaluating the lyrics of... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI on Aug. 28, 2010.

Benedict XVI praises “glorious music” of Bach in festival message

Jul 28, 2020

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has praised the “glorious music” of Johann Sebastian Bach in a message to a festival in... Read more

Ennio Morricone.

Ennio Morricone, composer honored by Pope Francis, dies at 91

Jul 6, 2020

Ennio Morricone, an Oscar-winning Italian composer honored by Pope Francis, has died at the age of 91.  Read more

Ennio Morricone.

Pope Francis awards film composer Ennio Morricone

Apr 15, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Oscar-winning composer Ennio Morricone was awarded the Gold Medal of the Pontificate Monday for his artistic accomplishments.  Read more

Brother Isaiah, CFR.

New York friar’s new album says life is a pilgrimage made 'poco a poco'

Oct 24, 2018

By Mary Farrow

Musical inspiration can come from unexpected places - like a Franciscan friar’s struggle to learn Spanish.  Read more

Bono gives Pope Francis a plant at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, Sept. 19, 2018.

Pope Francis meets Bono

Sep 19, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

U2 front man Bono had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican Wednesday afternoon, saying afterward the Holy... Read more

Dr. Jacqueline Leary-Warsaw. Courtesy of Catholic University of America.

CUA appoints new dean of music, drama, and art

May 30, 2018

The Catholic University of America announced Tuesday that Jacqueline Leary-Warsaw has been appointed dean of the university's school of music.  Read more

The Sistine Chapel Choir at Westfield World Trade Center on May 9, 2018.

Sistine Chapel Choir's Met performance a real 'wow moment'

May 9, 2018

By Elise Harris

A surprise performance by the Sistine Chapel Choir at the Met Gala this week left attendees in awe and helped... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Vatican's annual charity concert in Vatican City on Dec. 15, 2017.

Pope Francis: Music opens our hearts to the true meaning of Christmas

Dec 15, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Music and art are especially suited to helping us more deeply comprehend the true meaning of the mystery of Christmas,... Read more