There’s something thrilling about soprano descants!
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“Dom Jausions had a skilled hand. His transcriptions are masterpieces of neatness & precision.”
A few days ago, Dominique Gatté released something quite extraordinary.
Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Palestrina
“Palestrina500” at the Vatican, with Pope Leo XIV.
PDF Download • Palestrina’s “Ave Maria”
Including rehearsal videos.
PDF Download • “2025 Booklet for Participants for the Sacred Music Symposium” — (155 pages)
We feel this conference will be one for the history books!
PDF Download • “Gospel Acclamation” for 29 June (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)
Jeff Ostrowski’s attempt to harmonize the most well-known of all Gregorian chants.
Available! • Free Rehearsal Videos for Agnus Dei “Mille Regretz” after Gombert (d. 1560)
Artificial intelligence will never replace authentic polyphony.
PDF Download • “Polyphonic Extension” (Kevin Allen) for Gloria III
I will be conducting Palestrina’s ‘Ave Maria’ as well as teaching plainsong.
PDF Download • “Text by Saint Francis of Assisi” (choral setting w/ organ: Soprano & Alto)
“I am near to end of my first year as a full-time choirmaster.” — Julie Huebner
“Participation” • Recovering its Receptive Dimension
“The goal of our active participation is not that we might shape and mold God, but that he might shape and mold us.” —Dr. Samuel Backman
“Breathtaking Photographs” • First Mass of Father Michael Caughey, FSSP (Muskegon, MI)
Our choir sang so beautifully for this special Mass!
“Re: Vigil Masses” • Reader Feedback (3 June 2025)
“This question comes up twice this month, both for Pentecost and the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul.” —Marissa R.
“The Adalbert Propers” • Six (6) Quotations
“Fewer than 1% of Catholics are able to answer these questions correctly.” —Andrea Leal
PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for 29 June … Which Falls on a Sunday This Year!
Growing up, we had an encyclopedia in our basement—but that was hardly the equivalent access to the internet!
“Can the Choir Sing Alone at Mass?” • Yes! And Here’s Why That Matters
A priest once suggested to me that we “mic” the people in the pews during Mass to make their responses more audible and robust.
Nobody Cares About This! • 1887 Rheims-Cambrai Gradual included “Restored” Plainsong
I’d be interested to know what Dr. Weaver thinks about how the mode is given.
What No Musicologist Can Explain!
How glorious is Gregorian Chant!
A Gentleman (Whom I Don’t Know) Approached Me After Mass Yesterday And Said…
Some may enjoy these eight brief articles on the sacred liturgy.
“For me, Gregorian chant at the Mass was much more consonant with what the Mass truly is…” —Bp. Earl Fernandes
“When things are holy and sacred, they are perceived as such by all.” —Bishop Fernandes
“Lindisfarne Gospels” • Created circa 705 A.D.
Lusciously resplendent illuminations created 1,300 years ago by Roman Catholic monks in North England—now available to be viewed in high resolution!
PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
I’m not a bishop. I’m not even a priest. I’m a husband & father who just wants to make it to heaven.
“Sanctus XVIII” • Peculiar-Yet-Haunting Accompaniment (Sent To Us)
“When the Vatican Edition began coming off the press in 1905, its strongest supporters did not expect it to last until 1960…” —Mons. Schmitt
Chants That Crowds Roar With Burning Hearts
Something special happens when your Pope intones a chant and everyone sings with full hearts. Neurons, neurotransmitters, and hormones work together to bind people together. This is why sacred music transforms hearts!
Cardinal Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) “Privately Offered the TLM in His Private Chapel”
Allegedly, the source of this information “had the only indult to say the TLM at the USCCB office in Baltimore back in the 1990s.”
Reader Feedback • Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” at a Nuptial Mass?
“Isn’t Mendelssohn’s wedding march largely frowned upon in the Catholic Church?” —A reader
PDF Downloads
Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
This extremely rare hymnal was published in 1959.
“Hybrid” Chant Notation?
See whether you agree that Father Weinmann made matters worse.
“Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
This will be used while our congregation processes around the city to various churches.
“Music List” • Pentecost Sunday
Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for Pentecost Sunday.
“Truly Great Processional” • (Pipe Organ)
It’s an excerpt from a much longer composition by Sebastian Bach.
Proof Which All Can Immediately See!
There’s a reason for this!
