Sacred Music constitutes a substantial part of Christian culture. It is one of the artistic manifestations which has most linked to the Liturgy from the earliest times of Christianism. It is for that reason that musical studies form a natural part of Humanistic Studies, in the broadest possible sense. As such the Chair of Sacred Music is closely linked to the entirety of studies at the Padre Felix Varela Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies.
The Chair of Sacred Music is constituted around the following Sections:
- Section of the History of Sacred Music.
- Section of Musical Events and Concerts.
- An academic Section linked to the Father Felix Varela Institute for Ecclesiastic Studies, teaching in each of its grades both the Diploma in Sacred Music and a Seminar of Introduction to Sacred Music.
- Section of Cantoria of the Arch-Diocese of San Cristobal de La Habana.
- Instrumentarium Section, including a Johannus Organ, Monarke model; an Armonio; a Positive Organ; a Sperhake Harpsichord, Passau model; a Merklin-Schutze Organ (Paris/Brussels, 1856); and a catalog of organs of Havana.
The Chair is responsible for music and singing at the major Church celebrations through the year, as well as on special occasions. It also organizes periodic events in collaboration with various cultural institutions of Havana.
In addition, the Chair manages a catalog (Instrumentarium) of classical musical instruments, restoring them and ensuring their functionality, for the promotion of classical and contemporary liturgical music, both in the Church and with other institutions with which it collaborates.
The first class of graduates, composed of [X] persons, has just completed their studies. At the present time, there are [X] professors and [X] students.
Events such as the Week of Sacred Music gather more than [X] musicians from Havana and the rest of Cuba.
The Chair of Sacred Music organizes events such as:
- Annually, Sacred Music Week, at the location of the Cultural Center, in which participate notable Cuban and foreign musicians.
- The MUSICANOVA Festival of classical music and choral chants in collaboration with other institutions, with venues at various locations around the city.