Sometimes the ancients just perfectly capture the essence of some experience that we all share.
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English Plainchant Revival • “Is It Real?”
Let Busoni’s statement serve as a reminder to Catholic music directors everywhere.
PDF Download • “Entrance Chant in English” for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
This coming Sunday—6 October 2024—is the 27th in Ordinary Time.
You Forgot About This One!
I’d be interested to see the actual citations for this…
Music List • (26th Sund. Ordinary Time)
Readers have expressed interest in looking over the “music list” I have prepared for this coming Sunday.
PDF Download • “Offertories and Communion Hymns for Unison + Organ” (Carlo Rossini, 1951)
I provide three (3) reasons you’ll want to download this book immediately.
(In Canada) • Today is the “Feast of Saint Isaac Jogues & Companions”
Several stained glass images of Saint Isaac Jogues.
The Boys of Saint Paul’s Choir School to sing Mahler 8 with Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boys of Saint Paul’s Choir School will sing Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Andris Nelsons October 4-6 at Boston Symphony Hall.
PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” in English (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B)
Sometimes one hears the objection: “But Gregorian Chant was not originally accompanied on the organ…”
Konstantinople Kevin
Permission was granted to share these with the public.
Priest Demands Musician’s Resignation • (No Reason Given)
“Our priest was delighted with the program, or so it appeared. During Holy Week he asked me to resign (which I did). He gave no reason and would not even discuss the issue.”
Chants of the Diaconate Ordination
Two absolute favorite chants for Diaconate Ordinations are the Introit, “Dominus secus mare Galilaeae,” and the stunningly tender Communion chant, “Simon Ioannis.”
Is Investment in Sacred Music Really Necessary?
“About a year later, when many Covid restrictions had been lifted, we saw quite an influx of new faces come into our parish…” —Dr. Samuel Backman
PDF Download • “Communion Antiphon” by Father Edgard de Laet — For Any Mass!
A musical setting for “An Alphabet of Right-doing” (as Monsignor Knox famously called it).
PDF Download • “The Saint John’s Gradual”
Free download of Saint John’s Gradual with Ecclesiastical Approbation from his Eminence Cardinal Seán O’Malley, O. F. M., Cap., Archbishop of Boston
“Desperate Financial Appeal” • (11 September 2024)
Jeff Ostrowski, current president of Corpus Christi Watershed, sent this letter on 11 September 2024.
Musical Setting • “Confíteor Déo Omnipoténti”
The participants went nuts over this musical setting. They just couldn’t get enough of it!
PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Plainchant in English)
Today I discuss a myth about accompanying plainsong on the pipe organ.
“He Wants to Share His Subject and His Background Is Impressive.”
Feedback from the Gregorian Chant workshop in Chicago.
“A Coming Together of My Two Choral Worlds…”
Readers might get some ‘programming ideas’ from the list of pieces we sang.
“Spanish Entrance Hymn” • (You Might Enjoy This)
Javier R. wrote to us: “One thing that caught my eye—and which I’ve been wrestling with—is how to fit Hymns with Antiphons, especially during the entrance procession.”
Repository • “Spanish Order of Music” (Sainte Marie)
I’ve been creating these for our Spanish Masses. They aren’t perfect—but I’ve also seen worse.
Leaked Document! • Comparison Chart—New Responsorial Psalms (“Abbey Psalms & Canticles”)
The NAB tried to use “overly casual” language—and the results are often an abomination.
PDF Download • Seasonal (“Ad Libitum”) Gospel Acclamations for Sundays and Weekdays
The various options given here by the official 1970 Missal can be used during the week (or on any Sunday).
When Teaching a Polyphony for the First Time, Use This Three-Voice Piece
The Solfège has already been added, and we made magnificent rehearsal videos for you!
PDF Downloads
“Entrance Chant” • For Sunday (6-Oct-2024)
This one’s in Mode 4, imitating in an admirable way the authentic Gregorian chant.
An Anglican “Mess”
If I live to be 100 years old, there’s something I’ll never understand.
Communion Antiphon • “For Any Mass?”
Rehearsal videos are included—and they’re pretty fantastic!
“Entrance Chant” • For Sunday (29-Sep-2024)
This one’s in Mode 3, imitating the authentic Gregorian chant in a magnificent way.
“Entrance Chant” • For Sunday (22-Sep-2024)
This one’s in Mode 4—and it imitates the authentic Gregorian chant in a magnificent way.
Music List • (24th Sund. Ordinary Time)
Readers have expressed interest in looking over the “music list” I have prepared for this coming Sunday.