On Mistakes (Part II of II)
How we all respond to mistakes can have a huge effect on the cohesiveness and sound of our choirs.
“Is it not true that prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death?” —The Vatican’s chief liturgist from 2014-2021; interview with Edw. Pentin (23-Sep-2019)
Keven Smith is the music director at St. Stephen the First Martyr Catholic Church, an apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) in Sacramento, California. He trains and directs a mixed choir that sings full Gregorian propers, ordinaries, and sacred polyphony at more than 100 traditional Latin Masses per year. Keven lives in Sacramento with his wife and five musical children.—Read full biography (with photographs).
How we all respond to mistakes can have a huge effect on the cohesiveness and sound of our choirs.
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We choir directors can’t eliminate mistakes entirely. But here’s what we can do to minimize them.
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Salve Regina is still in season for another three months. You have plenty of time to learn this simple yet satisfying piece.
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Here’s how to get the most out of this fantastic new resource for interpreting chant rhythm.
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If you missed it, you can hear my iPhone recording on YouTube. But will it be quite the same?
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If you enjoy juicy dissonances and hearing the sun dart in and out of the clouds, you’ll love this modern setting of an ancient text.
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Tournemire’s L’Orgue Mystique is an indispensable resource—especially for organists who are feeling “stuck” in their improvisation.
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Teaching sight-singing is important, but let’s not forget that it’s a means to an end.
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How a small child’s innocent question underscored the significance of what we do as church musicians.
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This simple canon makes a great “anytime” Offertory motet for developing choirs and experienced ensembles alike.
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Consider using this time of disruption as an opportunity to make long-overdue changes in the way your choir operates.
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May these thoughts on selfless love encourage you to persevere through Holy Week.
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I don’t know who really wrote this motet, but I do know it’s a soothing and highly accessible selection for Holy Week.
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Here are some audio samples from recent Masses, along with explanations of what I was thinking for each improvisation.
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