Nine (9) Ways to Save Catholic Church Music
If music sung at Church resembles a toothpaste commercial, a Broadway show, or a campfire song—does it really belong at Mass?
Archives for July 2023
Did You See This? (27 July 2023)
In case anybody missed it, we recently updated our editorial policy. Our website continues to grow in popularity—Deo gratias! Therefore, it seemed appropriate to ‘codify’ what we’ve been doing for the last few years.
Know Anybody Famous?
It’s really humbling—and also very cool—to come across examples of how acclaimed several of my colleagues are. I was doing some research for a recent post and came across (!) one of our contributors in a place I was not expecting. You can see which one if you click here and scroll towards the middle […]
Theodore Marier Is the Most Important Liturgical Musician—Even Today.
“The more I learn about Marier, the more I am inspired to be a better human being.” —Richard J. Clark
William F. Buckley and Solesmes Abbey
Confirmed: Full archives of “Triumph” (a 1960s Roman Catholic magazine) are available online!
Splendid Repertoire for (Reduced) Summer Choirs!
Here’s a technique you must try with your choir.
Unanswered Questions on the Liturgy of the Hours
On some finer details of the project that, as far as I’m aware, have not been definitively settled…
(Clip) • Fr. Mike Schmitz endorses “Ad Orientem”
Is celebration “versus populum” a good idea? Father Mike’s answer might raise some eyebrows…
Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Patrick’s Fifth Reply to Jeff” (24 July 2023)
“Now all you have to do is connect the dots for yourself.” —Patrick Williams
What Charles Weaver Did (!)
Dr. Weaver kindly made me aware of something stupendous. Created by Abbat Pothier’s assistant and approved by his successor (about ten years after his death), it’s a KYRIALE, GRADUALE, and VESPERALE: 2,000 pages long! It’s in Gregorian notation on five staves and marks each mora vocis. Here’s a photograph of the “Puer Natus” INTROIT taken with my […]
Our Editorial Policy
Over the years, we’ve received beautiful messages of encouragement.
An Interview with Bruno de Labriolle
Readers interested in different stylistic approaches to Gregorian chant may enjoy this interview with the singer Bruno de Labriolle, who directs the schola of Saint-Bruno-des-Chartreux in Lyon. The views on chant and liturgy aired in the interview aren’t exactly the same as those of any of our contributors, but I personally find this group’s performances, in […]
Why Is Catholic Music So Embarrassing? • Four “Levels” To Fix The Problem!
In 1994, the most powerful mainstream Catholic music organization published a song about the “enlightenment of Buddha.”
More Than A Chart!
I’ve received many compliments about a comparison chart which was part of a recent article I posted. I feel flattered by these kind words, but I would like to point out that my chart doesn’t make much sense unless one reads the entire article.
Stomping Feet, Clattering Hooves, and Other Chant-Related Matters
Did you know that St. Augustine described the sound of one hand clapping?