Review • A Catholic Book of Hymns
A budget, orthodox option for your parish music program.
Archives for May 2022
23 May 2022 • FEEDBACK
From a reader: “I wasn’t looking for it. But, I stumbled across your hand-dandy arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon. Jeff, this is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I had to play a wedding on Saturday. The bride requested the Canon. There were 11 bridesmaids! The organ loft is a football field away from the communion […]
PDF Download • “A Canon Choirs Love!”
You will notice Father Guerrero takes the chant melody (“Beata Mater”) and creates a perfect canon between Soprano and Alto.
On Mistakes (Part I of II)
We choir directors can’t eliminate mistakes entirely. But here’s what we can do to minimize them.
19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”
I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.
“Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”
Actual headline from 9 April 1964.
PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)
If there’s a more beautiful setting of this text, I don’t know what it could be.
Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022
Study the Ward Method this summer in Washington, DC.
PDF Download • 2022 “Vespers Booklet” (99 Pages)
If you spot typos, please let us know!
“Playing the Pipe Organ” • By Richard Nixon
Does the music of Franz Liszt belong to Adolf Hitler?
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?
This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that […]
Prayer of Abandonment, Saint Charles de Foucauld
This will be sung at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome and at the Basilica of Saint Francis Assisi.
Worst Chanting I’ve Ever Heard
The Supreme Court has been in the news lately.
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition
As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book
If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.
Musician-Saints Throughout the Ages
Short biographical sketches of men and women who were church musicians themselves and who can empathize with the joys and struggles of our profession.
“Big Reveal” by the Symposium Committee
We are so pleased to welcome this priest!
Quote: “A weekend our choir will not soon forget!”
St. Mary’s: “Our singers experienced an incredible weekend working with Mr. Kevin Allen, the world-renowned composer.”
A Curious Rhythmic Detail in Tomorrow’s Jubilus
Occasionally the Solesmes rhythmic markings are surprising, as in one of tomorrow’s alleluias. Can we make sense of this?
“Yes or No?” • Thoughts On Singing The Creed
If his choir sounds terrible, why would you trust his advice?