Keep a repository of your choir-related thoughts and feelings. You’ll thank yourself someday.
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“Are Church Musicians Paid Enough?” • 5 Solutions
With a digression on Corrinne May’s upcoming presentation.
Analysis • “Archaic and Quack Ideas on Chant”
“Gentlemen: Nobody is going to follow the archaic and quack ideas on Chant you are trying to propagate.” Mr. John Sandar
“Singing Advice” • Frank Sinatra to Ronald Reagan
Did Dom Mocquereau compose any official plainsong pieces included in the official edition? He did!
Musician, Know Thy Theology!
Dear reader, it is up to you to ensure that the theological content of the music at your parish is faithful to the unchanging teachings of the holy Catholic Church.
“Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” • (Hymn)
My colleague, Patrick Williams, has given me permission to share with our audience a recording his choir made.
Sacred Music • Inspiring Letter From “Jane Doe”
Letters like this prove there are still awesome people in this world!
Understanding “Bewitched” Can Help You Appreciate Classical Music
There was no explanation given for why “Darrin Stephens” was suddenly a completely different person.
Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Third Response to Patrick” (16 May 2023)
I don’t think our readers are interested in what we say about Gregorian rhythm—they’re interested only in what we can demonstrate.
PDF Download • César Franck Book of Gregorian Chant Accompaniments (156 Pages)
“The organ is so universally used as an accompanying instrument today that there is a pressing need to provide a written accompaniment…” —César Franck
Revealed! • Kevin Allen’s Setting of the “Confíteor Deo Omnipoténti” (SATB) for Compline
I find this melody hauntingly gorgeous.
Sacred Music Institute at Mount St. Mary’s, Cincinnati
July 19–21 Sacred Music Institute “Inheritors of Heaven: The Call to Eucharistic Worship”
Terrific Pentecost Hymn You’ve Not Heard Before!
Certainly the most beautiful capital “Q” I’ve ever seen!
PDF Download • Extremely Rare! Organ Accompaniment Book (165 pages)
Including an “added bonus” I discovered while researching Julius Bas (an Italian musicologist and organist).
7 Suggestions • “Winning the Sacred Music Crusade”
If we truly believe what we say we believe, how can we allow goofy, off-Broadway, secular, casual music at Mass?
Dr. Lucas Tappan • “Open Letter to Discouraged Musicians”
I mentioned to my (much younger) assistant that certain battles I will no longer fight. She told me I was becoming bitter—but I can honestly say that isn’t the case.
PDF Download • “Brief Choral Alleluia” (Suitable for the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form)
Too many priests are ignorant of the glories of authentic sacred music.
PDF Download • “Vespers Accompaniment Booklet” (Fifth Sunday after Easter) — 20 pages
To recruit, teach, inspire, and retain volunteer choir members is no easy task!
Six (6) Pernicious Hymn Pairings
The current situation is heartbreaking.
Should Chant Be Accompanied On The Organ?
As late as 1924, Dom Mocquereau mentioned Dom Desrocquettes “whose beautiful and discreet accompaniments I hear every day at Solesmes.”
My Student Singing Byrd Will Make You Weep!
Today we release polyphony by two composers: William Byrd and William Fritz.
Conducting Tip: Use the Whole Body
Are you aware of your legs? And do you know why that matters for a choir conductor?
Photograph • Pope Saint Paul VI Distributes Holy Communion (Kneeling, On The Tongue)
How dare we—who are so sinful—how dare we receive our Lord?
Introit • “Jubiláte Déo” (3rd Sunday after Easter)
Sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
PDF Download • “English Hymns for Three Voices” (SSA), edited by Dr. Theodore Marier—182 pages
My choir will definitely be using these settings. They’re something many have begged for!
PDF Downloads
“Regína Caéli Laetáre” • 18 organ accompaniments
Plainsong sung poorly—in a sluggish, lifeless manner—can leave a bad taste in people’s mouths.
Three (3) Tricks Every Choir Director Should Learn
Conscientious choirmasters know it’s crucial to get “as much bang for your buck” as possible.
PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment Booklet” (Passion Sunday Vespers) — 24 pages
Fulton J. Sheen considered Monsignor Knox’s English translation of the Bible to be the greatest ever created.
“Solesmes Ictus” • Can It Be Justified? (Examples)
“If you begin by telling a man that in a word like 𝐷𝑒𝑢𝑠 the first syllable corresponds to the weak beat, the second to the strong beat of a modern bar, the only thing accomplished will be to bewilder him thoroughly.” —Father Bewerunge
PDF Download • “Spanish Missal for the Traditional Latin Mass” (Madrid, 1961) — 860 pages!
Let me explain why this 1961 Spanish Missal is so important.
“Greatest Choral Piece Ever Written” • What Is It?
By March 1596 Marenzio had arrived in Poland. In October of that year, he directed a Mass he’d written in the form of an “echo.”