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Views from the Choir Loft

Healey Willan on Chant

Andrew Leung · September 13, 2018

HEN I WAS IN CANADA over the summer, I made a detour when I was visiting churches in downtown Toronto to stop by the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, a “high” Anglo-Catholic church where Healey Willan used to be the director of music. There is also a park next to the church named after Willan. He was an Anglo-Canadian organist and composer. He wrote more than 800 works including operas, symphonies, chamber music, a concerto and other pieces; he is best known for his sacred compositions. The music program at St. Mary Magdalene flourished under his direction and was considered a model for all Anglican churches in North America. Here is what he has to say about plainchant (starting from 13:00):



I came across this interview recently and you can find the second part of it on YouTube as well. Dr. Willan clearly expressed that he thinks that “plainchant is the most suitable music for all forms of religious type”. He also stressed the importance of the Propers! Sing the Propers!!!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Vespers Booklet (4th Sunday of Lent)
    The organ accompaniment booklet (24 pages) which I created for the 4th Sunday of Lent (“Lætare Sunday”) may now be downloaded, for those who desire such a thing.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Vespers Booklet, 3rd Sunday of Lent
    The organ accompaniment I created for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (“Extraordinary Form”) may now be downloaded, if anyone is interested in this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Weeping For Joy! (We Hope!)
    Listening to this Easter Alleluia—an SATB arrangement I made twenty years ago based on the work of Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel—one of our readers left this comment: “I get tears in my eyes each time I sing to this hymn.” I hope this person is weeping for joy!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Those who teach Latin must know how to speak to the hearts of the young, know how to treasure the very rich heritage of the Latin tradition to educate them in the path of life, and accompany them along paths rich in hope and confidence.”

— Pope Francis (7 December 2017)

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