“Could Women Sing At Mass Before Vatican II?”
Does this sound like a “hymn” to you? Or does it sound like a “chant” composition?
PDF Download • “Salve Regina” (32 Versions)
In this article, I examine the elusive provenance of what some have called “the most popular piece of plainsong.”
For the Upcoming Choir Season!
Last week, I posted an SATB choral setting of the SANCTUS in a ‘contemporary’ style. You might want to consider this piece for two reasons: (1) It’s extremely brief; (2) Free rehearsal videos are available for each individual part. The piece is by Father Lhoumeau.
Sequence For Martin Luther? • (Sung to the melody of “Victimae Paschali Laudes”)
Dr. Luca Ricossa has made a YouTube recording of this Sequence!
C-SPAN Clip (1988) • “Return of the Latin Mass?”
“I guess we didn’t know what we had until we lost it…” —Special assistant to Nixon, Ford, and Reagan
PDF Download • “Contemporary Sanctus” (SATB)
This SATB setting by Father Lhoumeau—although contemporary—certainly adheres to the “rule” of Pope Saint John Paul II.
PDF Comparison Chart • “Which Has More Scripture?” — Ordinary or Extraordinary Form?
The answer surprised me!
Open Letter to Bishop Roche • “12 Considerations”
I write in response to the 6 July 2022 statement by Pope Francis: “Make your voices heard! If they do not listen to you, shout even louder.”
PDF Download • Professionally-Scanned “Graduale Romanum” (Schwann, 1908) • 1,129 pages!
This is the “pure” Vatican Edition—technically the only version of the rhythm allowed by Church documents!
“Hymn For Mary’s Assumption” (15 August) • By Saint Robert Southwell, Priest & Martyr
Installment 3 • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” (series)
“Truly Wonderful Quote” • Dr. Roger Wagner
“Never apologize for your choir, because they’re as good as you are!”
“To go to Mass together will be the light of Sunday for a family.” — Pope Benedict XVI (2005)
Statement by Pope Benedict XVI • Saint Peter’s Square (October, 2005)
PDF Download • “Sunday Vespers” (22 pages)
In spite of its imperfections, creating this (draft) booklet required much more effort than I had anticipated.
11 July 2022 • FEEDBACK
Someone who heard the CCW plainsong recordings with NOH accompaniment says: “For years I have travelled the continents and crossed the oceans of Gregorian chant in search of a composition and interpretation as sublime as this. The text and the melody are interwoven in a game of mirrors with the interpreters, the singer and the […]
Gregorian Chant • Its “True” Rhythm
I’m dumbstruck (with joy) to see that my recent video presentation on plainsong rhythm has garnered quite a number of “views” on VIMEO. I also made the full presentation available on YouTube, and—as I write these words—it has collected 700+ views. How cool is it that folks are still interested in the rhythm of Cantus […]
“Do You Know This Hymn Composer?” • Orlando Gibbons (d. 1623)
Installment 2 • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” (series)
“I’ll be back next year … but with my entire choir!”
“The symposium exceeded all of my expectations.” — Pediatrician, Choirmaster, and Mother of Six Children
Across the Pacific • Alto is “Raving”
From Asia: “I held choir rehearsal yesterday and one of the choir members (singing Alto) was just raving about how she loved the layout of the Brébeuf Choral Supplement because she didn’t have to look up and down for both music and verse—and she loved the ease with which she could sing her part because […]
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 […]
“How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • First Installment
I’ve been encouraged to launch a new series!