Six (6) Pernicious Hymn Pairings
The current situation is heartbreaking.
Articles
Should Chant Be Accompanied On The Organ?
As late as 1924, Dom Mocquereau mentioned Dom Desrocquettes “whose beautiful and discreet accompaniments I hear every day at Solesmes.”
My Student Singing Byrd Will Make You Weep!
Today we release polyphony by two composers: William Byrd and William Fritz.
Conducting Tip: Use the Whole Body
Are you aware of your legs? And do you know why that matters for a choir conductor?
Photograph • Pope Saint Paul VI Distributes Holy Communion (Kneeling, On The Tongue)
How dare we—who are so sinful—how dare we receive our Lord?
Introit • “Jubiláte Déo” (3rd Sunday after Easter)
Sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
PDF Download • “English Hymns for Three Voices” (SSA), edited by Dr. Theodore Marier—182 pages
My choir will definitely be using these settings. They’re something many have begged for!
“1950s Catholicism” • Do We Want It Back?
“I have found, to my astonishment, that Catholics…in their principal churches, do not to this day possess even one Mass setting even tolerably good, or which is not actually distasteful and operatic.” —Felix Mendelssohn (1835)
Five Ways to Celebrate the Octave of Pentecost
For most Novus Ordo-going Catholics, myself included, the Octave of Pentecost is no longer officially part of the Church’s liturgical calendar, but here are five fitting ideas for extending the joy of Pentecost throughout the week.
PDF Download • Draft Copy — “2023 Symposium Booklet” (320 Pages)
I will never forget standing in that green room, waiting to go on stage.
“I Came From Somewhere” • (So Did You!)
Including a haunting hymn by Flor Peeters for Eastertide.
“Quasi Modo” • Introit for this coming Sunday.
I’m desperately in need of this book!
Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “The Hidden Dactyl”
“Perhaps surprisingly, not one word of three syllables in the ancient Easter sequence ‘Laudes Salvatori voce’ is sung to the rhythm of a dactyl.” —Alasdair Codona
“Regína Caéli Laetáre” • 18 organ accompaniments
Plainsong sung poorly—in a sluggish, lifeless manner—can leave a bad taste in people’s mouths.
The Illumination of the Church at the Easter Vigil
“Is the symbolism of the Easter Vigil better served by brilliant light or the faint glow of candles in the darkness?” —Patrick Williams