John Newton—who wrote “Amazing Grace”—was a slave trader, but ended up being caught and made a slave himself!
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Incorrect Statement (July 2021) by Pope Francis
Early in his pontificate, Pope Francis insisted that others correct him “when he gets off course…”
“Mom, Does This Mean We Can’t Go To Our Mass Anymore?”
We’re still reeling from what “Traditionis Custodes” will mean for the life we’ve built.
PDF Download • Commemorating Dr. Fayrfax
A massively underrated composer died 500 years ago today.
PDF Download • “Wedding Booklet” (22 pages)
A word about “Kleptomaniac Choirmasters.”
PDF Download • “Did Vatican II Reform The Mass?”
Three (3) bullet points, written on a single sheet of paper.
Huge Announcement! • “Three Voiced Polyphony”
Once these songs get into your head, they won’t leave easily—but that’s okay!
Seriously?? • An Anglican “Halloween Hymn”
Actual hymn lyrics: “Is it spooky? Is it weird?”
Seven Solutions • “Getting Catholics Singing Again”
At the conservatory, we’re surrounded by hundreds of professional musicians; but stepping into a Catholic parish the situation is quite different.
“Bewildering!” • Weird Assertion by Bishop Arthur Roche (Congregation for Divine Worship)
Is backroom bowdlerization of Sacred Scripture truly irreversible?
Two Hymns Loved By Everyone … Except Purists!
Fulton J. Sheen: “In those days there were no scandal columns, but there were scandalmongers.”
What Can Be Done With Only Two Cantors?
What do you do for Quinceañera Masses, Anniversary Masses, Funerals, and Birthday Masses?
Brave Schola Director Posts Live Recording
This is a beautiful melody worth learning, worth singing, and worthy of the temple.
PDF Download • “Can A Hymnal Be Too Catholic?”
Can Protestant translations be dangerous? This paper presents items worth considering.
“Catholic Sensibility” • What Makes A Hymnal Catholic?
I personally find the following pairings (hymn text + hymn melody) to be reprehensible…
Gregorian Chant • Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
From a rare book of Franciscan chants (1902)
New CD release from the FSSP in Europe!
Christmas Matins from Bavaria…
“Complete At Last!” • An Easy Polyphonic Agnus Dei
The ability of your singers to sight-read music instantly does not guarantee a good performance.
“A Truly Eucharistic Hymn” • Christ the King (SATB)
Did Vatican II “restore” the hymns—as mandated by §93 of Sacrosanctum Concilium?
Clarion Call To All Choirmasters! • (26 Sept.)
Forty images of (IMHO) the patron saints of church musicians.
“Homily for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM
“In our day and age I think it is good that we all be reminded that Christ will eventually overcome his enemies.”
PDF Download • Three Myths About Hymns
Did you know Catholics began translating hymns from Latin into the vernacular about 400 years before the Protestant Revolution?
Reflections On A Prophetic Document
There is much here to contemplate, written by a man with a deep reverence for the Sacred Liturgy and Music of the church…
[re-post] • “Hymn for the Feast of All Saints”
All Saints—November 1st—will be here before you know it!
PDF Download • “Old Catholic Missal” (1909) … for the Schismatic “See of Utrecht”
Readers will enjoy perusing this book.
PDF Downloads
PDF Download • Bishop Donohoe: “I wish you to definitely confront the priest…”
A bizarre 1976 letter seeks “priest hunters” in the diocese of Fresno.
PDF Download • “Pater Noster” by Van Nuffel (1937)
Throughout my career, I have tried to follow the advice Cardinal Mercier gave the young Fulton J. Sheen.
PDF Download • “Ave Maris Stella” (Organ Accompaniment)
The second part has blank staves—so you can compose your own organ harmonies!
“Part 3” • (Polyphony For Amateur Choirs)
This is—perhaps—the most phenomenally gorgeous piece ever written.
PDF Download • Hymn for the Assumption • (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass)
This hymn was originally for the Assumption, but now can be used on various Marian feasts.
PDF Download • “A Very Sloppy Accompaniment”
What I played from yesterday…