Dominica is set to make history in its liturgical and cultural landscape with the launch of the world’s first-ever Gospel Songwriting Workshop, an innovative two-day program tailored for aspiring and established creators seeking to hone their sacred music composition craft. Organized by the Institute of Spiritual Leadership and Growth Mentorship, the initiative fills a longstanding gap for creators eager to connect their artistic practice to the theological roots of Catholic worship, blending deep spiritual learning with hands-on technical training.
Ivenia Benjamin, founder of the Institute and lead organizer of the event, outlined that the workshop’s core mission goes far beyond teaching basic songwriting techniques. Instead of framing composition as merely an artistic pursuit, the program encourages participants to approach songwriting as a form of prayer and a core component of religious ministry, while reaffirming the central role that music plays in Catholic liturgy and collective worship.
Over the course of the two split sessions, attendees will dive into a structured curriculum that balances academic grounding, practical skill-building, and collaborative creative work. The program opens with exploration of the biblical and theological foundations of sacred music, helping participants understand the historical and spiritual purpose of liturgical song. From there, creators will learn actionable composition techniques to craft everything from hymns and praise songs to musical settings for segments of the Catholic Mass. The curriculum also emphasizes inclusive creativity, teaching creators how to weave local cultural and linguistic traditions into their work to make worship more accessible and resonant for diverse congregations. Collaborative co-writing exercises with peers and expert facilitators are also designed to build new creators’ confidence in both composing new work and performing it for audiences.
Leading the workshop is a lineup of highly experienced, widely respected sacred music composers and clergy, bringing decades of collective experience and contribution to global Catholic liturgical music. Headlining the local faculty is Monsignor Eustace Thomas, a priest with nearly 60 years of service, who has earned acclaim for his extensive catalog of beloved Catholic hymns written in both English and Creole. His best-known works include *We Are the Living Stones*, *Together We Are Christ’s Body*, and *This is My Body, This is My Blood*, among many others. Joining him is Monsignor William John-Lewis, a distinguished Dominican composer and priest whose popular liturgical compositions include *Agneau de Dieu*, *Senyè Pran Pityé*, and *Forbes Te Deum*.
The program will also feature a special in-person session from international guest facilitator Brother Paschal Jordan OSB, a Benedictine monk of Guyanese descent based in Trinidad. Brother Jordan is internationally celebrated for his extensive body of sacred work, including well-known pieces such as *To Be the Body*, *Praise to the Lord*, and *In God’s House*, and will travel to Dominica specifically to lead the workshop’s second session.
Unlike many similar faith-based arts programs that are held on consecutive days, this workshop is structured as two non-consecutive Saturdays to accommodate participants with existing work and family commitments. The first session, led by the local facilitator team, will take place on May 16, 2026, at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Morne Bruce, running from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Brother Jordan will lead the second and final session one week later on May 23, 2026, at the same venue, keeping the same daily schedule.
Benjamin shared that the Institute’s ultimate goal for the initiative is to uplift new, diverse creators, encouraging what the organization describes as “new voices to sing a new song to the Lord.” By nurturing a new generation of liturgical composers, the Institute hopes to enrich communal worship across Dominica and draw worshippers closer to the core of their faith. Organizers note that the combination of rigorous theological teaching, hands-on technical training, and intentional spiritual formation makes this event a one-of-a-kind gathering that is poised to leave a lasting mark on Dominica’s religious and cultural community. Interested participants can reach out to the Institute of Spiritual Leadership and Growth Mentorship at (767) 295 9089 for additional registration and program details.