THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL MUSICIANS took place at the Cathedral-Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 26 and 27, 1984. Hosted by Peter LaManna of the Philadelphia Cathedral-Basilica, the meeting was attended by fifteen musicians from twelve cathedrals and initiated by Richard Proulx, Chicago; Peter LaManna, Philadelphia; Gerald Muller, Washington, D.C.; and Leo Nestor, Washington, D.C. Others in attendance included Jay Rader, Washington, D.C., William Erickson, Milwaukee; Robert Twynham, Baltimore; Michael Sheerin, Philadelphia; James Savage, Seattle; John Grady, New York; Larry Tremsky, Chicago; John Balka, San Francisco; Joseph Policelli, Worcester; Haldan Tompkins, Cincinnati; and Haig Mardirosian, Arlington.

General topics of discussion included musico-liturgical practice, tradition, and professional procedure at these prominent Roman Catholic cathedral churches. After initial detailed introduction and description of each cathedral’s musical establishment, the musicians formed an agenda of priorities for the professional liturgical musician in a leadership post. Among these were issues of administration, policy, remuneration, philosophy, and repertoire. The session ended with an affirmation of the collegial relationship of the cathedral musicians and a resolution to meet again in Chicago in May, 1985. It was furthermore resolved that this association of musicians would be called the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians.