“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)
“I am of the opinion that women are not to participate in the singing of the crowd parts and that the manner of alternation in the tract is merely a matter of custom, preference, or practicality.” —Patrick Williams
If we feel compelled to condemn these changes, let’s at least spend time learning what they are!
Conscientious choirmasters know it’s crucial to get “as much bang for your buck” as possible.
A reader asks: “No Dotted Neumes?”
Fulton J. Sheen considered Monsignor Knox’s English translation of the Bible to be the greatest ever created.
A ramble about open source software and three PDF files for 1962 Vespers for Ferias 4-6 in the Octave of Easter.
This sweet, simple SATB motet provides a contrast to heavier, darker Lenten repertoire. But it’s going out of season soon.
“In nothing are English Catholics so poor as in vernacular hymns. The real badness of most of our popular hymns (endeared, unfortunately, to the people by association) surpasses anything that could otherwise be imagined.” —Father Fortescue
As Americans, we’re “bred from birth” to think of ourselves as little gods who already know everything and require no correction.
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.
“The devotional version of this hymn employs a later tune erroneously called ‘plainsong’ in various sources.” —Patrick Williams
The Ward Method is a classical pedagogy designed for pre-K through eighth grade music classes in Catholic schools.
This is probably too late … but there’s always next year!
This little booklet has had a long influence on choirs, but isn’t very widely known. How many of these pieces are you familiar with?
Let there be no mistake about it: Dom Mocquereau (illicitly) added the “salicus” in hundreds of places where the official edition has none.
The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!
But we’re under pressure to transfer our website to a “subscription model.”
We don’t want to do that. We believe our website should remain free to all.
Our president has written the following letter:
President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)
