Liturgical Formation and Training for Hispanic Pastoral Musicians
Instituto OCP provides liturgical formation and musical education to enrich and empower Catholic music ministries. Rooted in the Church’s teachings, we serve culturally diverse communities across the United States, particularly Hispanic pastoral musicians.
Formation Events
Instituto OCP serves Spanish, English and bilingual parishes through celebrated in-person events: Sing to the Lord (Cantemos al Señor) and the OCP Workshop Series (Series Formativas de OCP). Offering liturgical formation and training for pastoral musicians, these events are an invaluable resource for parish music ministries. Learn more and book events for your parish below
Sing to the Lord Formation Event
Instituto OCP Sing to the Lord Formation Events are led by a team of two to four experienced pastoral musicians. Skilled presenters offer sound theological teaching and practical wisdom, drawing from the U.S. bishops’ document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship (Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino) and the rich repertoire of OCP’s Flor y Canto hymnal.
The day begins with a plenary keynote presentation introducing participants to the foundational principles of pastoral music ministry. Grounded in Sing to the Lord, this session explores the role of music in the liturgy, the role of the pastoral musician, and the three judgments for liturgical music (musical, liturgical and pastoral), with special emphasis on the musician as both disciple and minister.
Following the keynote, participants take part in two skill sessions, which provide opportunities for hands-on learning tailored to the needs of the local church. These sessions typically focus on areas such as vocal technique, the guitarist as a liturgical musician, or basic approaches to music selection for the liturgy.
The event also includes a repertoire session featuring songs from Flor y Canto. This session highlights music appropriate for the liturgical season and addresses any specific ritual needs identified by the host community.
Sing to the Lord Formation Event offerings here.
Formation Workshops
Instituto OCP Formation Workshops are one-day formation experiences for pastoral musicians designed to provide in-depth training on a single topic from one expert presenter. Each one-day workshop follows a standard schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes two sessions focused on the selected topic.
These workshops offer focused formation on one area of pastoral musicianship and can be presented either as a stand-alone formation day or as part of a more extensive series. Participants benefit from sound teaching delivered by a qualified expert in the field of music ministry and receive manuals, exercises, and more resources to support their learning.
A variety of workshop topics are available in the areas of:
- Liturgy Fundamentals
- Introduction to Reading Music
- Vocal Techniques
Learn about about Formation Workshop offerings here.
Host an Instituto OCP Formation Event
Interested in bringing Instituto OCP to your parish for a Formation Workshop or Sing to the Lord Formation Event? Request an event through the button below and we will be in touch!
Request an EventMeet the Team
FAQs
Sing to the Lord Formation Events
What is the Sing to the Lord Formation Event?
The Sing to the Lord event is a day-long formational and training event designed especially for pastoral musicians. Its purpose is to provide both a solid introduction to the role of music in the liturgy and practical guidance for those who serve as musicians in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Through a combination of keynote sessions, specialized workshops, and repertoire sessions, participants grow in their understanding of liturgical music and in their own musical and ministerial skills.
Depending on the topic, each Sing to the Lord Formation Event is developed to form all musical servants of the liturgy. This includes music directors, choir members, cantors, accompanists, and instrumentalists. Musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend, including children and young adults. Parish and diocesan leaders are also encouraged to attend, including pastors, parish staff, diocesan personnel, etc.
The schedule for each Sing to the Lord Formation Event includes prayer, a keynote presentation on the foundational principals of pastoral music ministry found in the USCCB document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship/Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino, breakout workshops, repertoire sessions featuring songs from Flor y Canto, and meals and other breaks. Please see master catalog for available workshop topics.
While each Sing to the Lord event is planned with the needs of the local community in mind, the following schedule is typically used. A final schedule and outline of content is created with each host location:
9:00 – 9:30: Welcome and morning prayer
9:30 – 10:45: Plenary keynote
10:45 – 12:00: Skill Session I
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch
1:00 – 2:15: Skill Session II
2:15 – 2:30: Break
2:30 – 3:30: Repertoire Session
3:30 – 4:00: Evaluation and closing
What resources are used as part of the training?
The foundational resources are Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship/Cantemos al Señor: La Música en el Culto Divino (USCCB) and OCP’s Flor y Canto hymnal. Psalm resources, children’s resources, and other OCP core products may be used and referenced, as well as products specific to the artists/composers presenting.
What are the benefits of the program?
Sing to the Lord event brings multiple benefits to your community. Certainly, participants leave equipped with essential formation and knowledge. Beyond this, however, participants leave with a greater sense of vocation, community and service. After their participation, those who attend the event will:
- Be inspired to devote more to their ministry (time, talent, treasure, etc.).
- Have a better understanding of the role of the music minister in the liturgy.
- Gain essential liturgical formation needed for effective ministry (increased knowledge of Church documents, structure of liturgy and rites, liturgical theology and catechesis, spiritual formation, etc.).
- Gain essential musical formation needed for effective ministry (increased knowledge of musical skills, playing to support ritual, playing for liturgy v.s. performance, best practices, etc.).
- Have expanded knowledge and awareness of resources to support liturgy and ministry.
- Have a better sense of community and participation in a large ministry network.
- Have a better understanding of the hierarchy and structure of the Church (diocesan offices, relationships, decision-making and authority, roles, etc.).
Formation Workshops
A Formation Workshop is a one-day training experience designed to help pastoral musicians grow in both skill and understanding. Each workshop focuses on a single area of music ministry and is led by an expert presenter, offering teaching, practice, and resources that can be applied directly in parish life.
Depending on the topic, these workshops are for anyone involved in music ministry—choir members, cantors, instrumentalists, directors, and parish leaders. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician, you’ll find tools and insights that meet you where you are.
Depending on the topic, participants may learn about liturgical principles, the basics of reading music, or vocal techniques for healthy and effective singing. Each workshop is designed to be practical, offering both knowledge and hands-on exercises that can strengthen your service in the liturgy.
What is the workshop schedule?
The standard schedule runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes time for interaction and Q&A, as well as breaks. The day is structured to balance learning with time for reflection and dialogue.
What are the benefits of the workshop?
Participants gain:
- In-depth formation on a key area of pastoral musicianship
- Practical tools, exercises, and take-home resources
- Guidance from an experienced presenter in the field
- Opportunities to connect with and learn from other pastoral musicians
- Renewed inspiration for serving their community through music ministry
Interested in hosting an Instituto OCP event?
Fill out the form below to learn more
Koren Ruiz
Composer, choir director and liturgical presenter, Koren Ruiz believes that music is the best evangelical tool given to us. With a passion for service and stewardship, Koren has embodied that belief through more than 15 years of music ministry and composition. Often ministering alongside his wife and essential partner in ministry, Jessica Ruiz, Koren leads parishes across the nation in concerts, liturgical prayer events, formational events and workshops on Christian stewardship, and guitar-centered skill building workshops like “Guitar Rhythms” and “The Guitar Player in the Liturgical Setting.” Koren and Jessica have two albums published with OCP: Tú Me Sostendrás, released in 2014, and Tu Amor Es Fiel, released in 2019, as well as songs in OCP’s Spanish-language contemporary collections. Koren has also participated in the OCP Instituto event series. Koren holds a bachelor of business administration and a bachelor of organizational psychology from Western Oregon University. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Portland. When he is not traveling, he serves the community of Ascension Parish in Portland, Oregon, as choir director. He is also president and founder of Corresponsables de Dios, a consulting organization which promotes the concept of stewardship of the Church's mission through various programs, conferences and Catholic music.
Oscar Castellanos
Oscar Castellanos joined OCP as the Bilingual Programs and Hispanic Initiatives Manager. Oscar manages our Spanish and Bilingual formational programs. Oscar is fully bilingual/bicultural (English & Spanish), and comes with excellent experience in program management, public speaking, teaching, and pastoral ministry with Hispanic communities. He possesses a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy & Religious Studies, as well a master’s degree in Theology from Mt. Angel Seminary. Oscar also studied theology at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA and the University of Notre Dame, IN as part of the Master of Divinity program. He is about to complete his doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership with Marian University, IN. Outside of OCP, Oscar loves spending time with his family; especially his 3 children: Santi, Miranda, and Febe. He also loves walking his dogs and refereeing high school soccer.