Michael Silhavy
Senior Project Editor, GIA Publications
Editor and Pastoral Musician
Michael Silhavy is the Senior Project Editor for GIA Publications, Inc. and has worked in parish, grade school, university, cathedral, and diocesan settings. He worked with noted composer Richard Proulx in assembling The Richard Proulx Collection, a collection of Proulx’s complete published works and unpublished manuscripts, housed at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He has also authored entries on American composers and authors for the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology.
Michael holds degrees in music education (De Paul University), theology (Loyola University, Chicago) and liturgical studies (St. John’s University).
He deeply values the weekly experience of making music with a congregation and currently does so as Director of Music at Saint Peter’s in the Loop, Chicago, IL.
Michael’s Workshops
Wednesday, July 9
Praying Farewell
The Covid pandemic of 2020 has altered the way congregations, families and individuals ritualize the deceased. More and more funerals are celebrated weeks, not days, after death; live streaming possibilities allow distant – and local – mourners to be “present”. When gathering for a funeral was not possible, individual visits to the graveside became the main ritual activity. This workshop will examine additional ways to celebrate the life of the deceased aside from the traditional funeral and wake service.
9:00AM–10:15AM
Breakout 1
Location Pending
Celebrating Saint Francis’s Canticle of Creation
The year 2025 marks the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis writing the Canticle of Creation. This three-part presentation will:
- Examine the history and text of the Canticle
- Survey hymnody based on the Canticle and related hymns focusing on creation and care of creation
- Scripture and Tradition state that “all things will be restored in Christ.” We’ll have a discussion and sing some repertoire focusing on how this may apply to animals and nature.
10:35AM–11:50AM
Breakout 2
Location Pending
Music Resources for Small Choirs and Limited Resources
Explore resources and suggestions for making the most of your small choir and stretching church resources further.
Co-Clinicians: Michael Silhavy and Kate Williams
4:00PM–5:15PM
Breakout 4
Location Pending
Thursday, July 10
New Sacred Music from GIA Publications, Inc.
Presenters: Kate Williams, Michael Silhavy, Staff