PDF • “Hymn Suggestions For Each Sunday”
The conscientious choirmaster takes people where they are and then—carefully and prudently—leads them to something higher.
Surprise! • Bas PDF from Paris
A generous person in Paris sent us the 1921 organ accompaniment to the Requiem Mass (“Missa Pro Defunctis”) harmonized by Julius Bas, who was associated with the Abbey of Solesmes. You can download the entire PDF file for free at the Lalande Library. I must say, what Bas does with Dies Irae sequence is fascinatingly […]
“Like None Other!” • New Three-Voice Collection
I could not function as a choirmaster without this collection.
“Communion Hymn For Lent” • (Rec. 3/4/2022)
I believe many choir members will stop coming back if the music is always the same.
IMPORTANT • Stunning News From Rome!
In this meeting—and subsequent statement—Pope Francis made it clear that institutes like the FSSP are not affected by “Traditionis Custodes.”
Marvelous News From Pope Francis!
Two members of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter recently met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. (You can read the whole story.) The Pope insisted that the FSSP should be “preserved, protected, and encouraged.” Moreover, Pope Francis made it clear that institutes such as the Fraternity of Saint Peter are not affected by the […]
Does Your Musical Program Have Balance?
What I’ve labeled “musical diversity” could also be thought of as “balance.”
PDF Download • Quinquagesima Vespers
I created a booklet for my choir. (The congregation already has their own booklet). This booklet is for Quinquagesima Vespers, and you can download it if you desire. Print on “double sided” and the booklet will come out correctly. The polyphonic Magnificat is not included in that booklet, since the choir members have it in […]
FEEDBACK • 25 February 2022
We love receiving mail from our readers. Here are two messages we received today from two different music directors in Canada: (1) “We are a small Schola in Yukon, Canada and love your practice videos repertoire.” (2) “Thank you so much for the indispensable work that you are doing to rebuild the musical life of […]
PDF Download • Missa Philomena (Philippe Verdelot)
This music is from a much earlier period; and you can tell.
“Common” Hymn Tunes? • Another Example
The first text is for the “pre-Lent” season…
Cardinal Cupich’s Diocese • “What Mass Looks Like”
The “primary cross” for most young men has to do with temptations against the 6th Commandment.
PDF Download • No More OCP “Breaking Bread”
This powerful response—by a Catholic priest—is without question one of the most fascinating things I’ve ever read.
A Fugue that “explains” itself
One of my choir members sent me this Ontological Fugue. If you can get past the performance—which is terrible (perhaps on purpose)—you will learn an awful lot about fugues. In my opinion, whoever created that score is a genius! It would be awesome to know from a professional theorist, such as Charles Weaver, whether they […]
Eucharistic Hymn • By a Jesuit Martyr Priest
English has words whose meanings directly contradict each other (such as “cleave” or “sanction”).