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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Biography • Dr. Gregory Hamilton

Dr. Gregory Hamilton · July 20, 2020

REGORY HAMILTON enjoys a wide variety of activities and interests as a composer, recitalist on the organ, piano and harpsichord, as a conductor, and continuo player on the harpsichord and theorbo. He is skilled in improvisation, and frequently includes improvisation in concerts. As a composer, over 100 of his works are in publication by Morning Star, Augsburg Fortress, CanticaNova, WLP, Concordia, Paraclete Press, Sheet Music Plus, and Lorenz, and are presented internationally in concert halls and churches, schools and airports. His Breath of the Spirit (an evening-length work for flute and organ, with narrators, written with Poet Kenneth Gaertner) was commissioned by Marilyn Mason and premiered by her with the flutist Donald Fishel in the Paris Festival Toussant at the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, and has been performed over twenty times in the U.S and Europe.

*  DR. GREGORY HAMILTON • Publicity Photograph

Gregory was commissioned to compose The Church’s One Foundation for the Archdiocesan choir and orchestra for the dedication of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. Other recent works premiered include Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (Diane Winder and the Ypsilanti Symphony), Five Psalm Pictures, Rosary (Premiere—St. Johannes church, Amsterdam) and Fantasy Variations on a Theme of Schubert for string trio and flute, Hymn of Peace for Cello and Piano (cellist Cellist Mirel Iancvici; professor of cello at the Conseratoriaum, Utrecht) and several works for Houston virtuoso Organist Jackson Osborn. Gregory Hamilton attended Baldwin-Wallace University (B.MUS) The Royal College of Music, London, (M.Mus, A.R.C.M.) and The University of Michigan, (DMA) where he was a scholarship student of Dr. Marilyn Mason. Gregory has researched the works of Dom Paul Benoit, (1895-1976) the French composer-organist and has performed many of his works in the U.S. and abroad, including research at Benoit’s monastery, St. Mark and St. Maur in Clervaulx, Luxembourg. With Dr. Hamilton’s recent CD releases of Benoit’s music on RosaMystica recordings, he is enjoying the welcome upsurge in interest in the works of Benoit. Dr. Hamilton’s music has been featured in many radio broadcasts, including the NPR show Pipedreams, and was recently interviewed on “Notes from Above” (Ave Maria Radio). As a conductor, he has a wide repertoire of both choral and orchestral works, and has studied conducting with Dr. John Robinson and Dr. Leonard L. Riccinto.

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Dr. Hamilton has taught Performance and Interpretation of Gregorian Chant for many years and was a student of Fr. Columba Kelly and Fr. Ralph March. As a continuo and chamber music performer, he performs with several chamber groups, including the Orchestra of New Spain, providing continuo work for opera, chamber concerts, playing organ, theorbo, lute and harpsichord, including a 2016 tour of Bolivia. In continuo and Early Music (Lute and Theorbo), he was a student of Nigel North and Jacob Lindberg at the RCM and Guildhall (London). Dr. Hamilton is currently faculty and Director of Sacred Music at Holy Trinity Seminary (University of Dallas). He can also be found at gregoryhamilton.org, his personal website.

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

Filed Under: Biographies Last Updated: August 20, 2020

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About Dr. Gregory Hamilton

Dr. Gregory Hamilton is a composer and performer currently on the faculty of Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas TX.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The ratio of voices in modern choirs is usually wrong. Basses should be numerically greatest, then altos, then tenors, then sopranos. One good soprano can carry a high “A” against 30 lower voices.

— Roger Wagner

Recent Posts

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  • Alabama Assessment!
  • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • Vol. 1
  • “Exceeded Every Expectation!” • Mr. O’Brien’s Review
  • “81 Photos” • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

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