A “Dirty” Word (For Musicians)
Around the year 1955, “transcription” became a dirty word.
Archives for April 2022
Choirs Love This Piece!
Back in 2001, I created an arrangement of “O Filii Et Filiae” based on the work of Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel. You can access free rehearsal videos at #5909. Choirs absolutely love singing this piece. You can hear my volunteer choir singing a live recording.
Choir Directors • “Is It Worth The Struggle?”
The choir director’s vocation is chock-full of difficulties.
{ Next Year! } • Somber Kyrie Settings For Lent
Corpus Christi Watershed has provided rehearsal videos to assist choir members who do not read music well.
Holy Thursday Introit • “Pure” Vaticana
Many people wonder what Cantus Gregorianus sounds like when sung according to the “official rhythm.” You can hear the Introit for Maundy Thursday sung that way—i.e. according to the “pure” Editio Vaticana—if you click here. Technically, this is the only interpretation allowed by the Church; cf. the letter of Cardinal Martinelli (18 February 1910).
Kevin Allen’s “Dómine Convértere” Sung At Saint Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City)
The Vatican’s choir sounds beautiful these days—no longer is it “the scandal of Christendom.”
“Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended?”
A wonderful passiontide hymn is #692 in the Brébeuf hymnal. It works especially well for Communion. Here is a live recording from last Sunday, sung by the fabulous female singers in my volunteer parish choir.
PDF Download • SATB “Refrain” for Good Friday
Is it “traditional” to receive Holy Communion on Good Friday?
PDF Download • “Palm Sunday Hymn”
During the procession on Palm Sunday, the 1962 rubrics allow alius cantus in honorem Christi Regis—“a hymn or song in honor of Christ the King.” A simple yet beautiful Gregorian hymn you might consider is Te Sæculorum Principem, which was composed for the feast of Christ the King by Father Vittorio Genovesi (d. 1967). The […]
“Schizophrenia” • Pius XII Annihilated Tenebræ
I know of no author who has attempted to reconcile, explain, or justify the (obviously contradictory) “schizophrenia flaw.”
PDF Download • “Regina Caeli for 3 Voices”
I never shared this before because pride and perfectionism held me back.
“Victimæ Paschali Laudes” • Nineteen (19) Organ Accompaniments
Including a remarkable musical setting by Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923).
Free Organ Accompaniment • “Vexilla Regis”
During Passiontide, the hymn at Vespers is the mighty Vexilla Regis Prodeunt of Bishop Venantius Fortunatus. In 2015, I composed an organ accompaniment for this hymn with each verse written out. This comes in pretty handy on occasions when the organist must “lead the hymn from the organ bench.” Please feel free to download my […]
It is time. Sacred Song and the Kingdom of God
The small efforts we make become the mustard seed that transforms a life forever. The seed you plant may convert one soul or many.
“Hymn To Saint Joseph” • (Rec. 4/2/2022)
Certainly the only “Eucharistic” hymn to Saint Joseph I know!
Gregorian Chant • “Its True & Authentic Rhythm”
For this coming Sunday (Passion Sunday), there’s only one “MMV” singers must observe—and I placed a little arrow above it.