“Best & Worst Responses” • This Survey Was Responded To By 300+ Church Musicians
You’re probably thinking: “Jeff, if you think Father Rossini’s narrow-mindedness was bad, get ready for a rude awakening when you see what we’re up against in 2023.”
Common Hymn Melodies
Six (6) Pernicious Hymn Pairings
The current situation is heartbreaking.
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.”
Three (3) Tricks Every Choir Director Should Learn
Conscientious choirmasters know it’s crucial to get “as much bang for your buck” as possible.
Choirmasters • “How To Avoid Getting Fired”
Anyone who’s ever stood in front of a choir knows the choirmaster’s vocation is not an easy one.
PDF Download • “Advent Eucharistic Hymn”
I don’t know a more powerful exposition on the Holy Eucharist than this striking hymn by Archbishop Pecham!
“Common” Hymn Tunes? • Another Example
The first text is for the “pre-Lent” season…
Seven Solutions • “Getting Catholics Singing Again”
At the conservatory, we’re surrounded by hundreds of professional musicians; but stepping into a Catholic parish the situation is quite different.
Two Hymns Loved By Everyone … Except Purists!
Fulton J. Sheen: “In those days there were no scandal columns, but there were scandalmongers.”
Brave Schola Director Posts Live Recording
This is a beautiful melody worth learning, worth singing, and worthy of the temple.
Church Musicians: The Revolution Starts Today!
Do what’s right, say your prayers, offer each day to Jesus Christ, and hold your head high!
Hymn For The Transfiguration (6 August) • “Recorded During Choir Rehearsal”
An English translation by Robert Campbell of Skerrington (d. 1868), who was a convert to the Catholic Faith.
“Talking To Dead Composers” • Part 2
Including a live recording (without organ) of “Alleluia, Sing To Jesus” by a volunteer choir.
It Finally Happened.
Father Valentine used to say: “The cemeteries are full of people who thought they were indispensable.”
PDF Download • “What Makes A Good Hymn?”
Dr. Terry says: “The melody must be clearly defined, free from triviality and trite clichés, avoiding harmonies that are sugary or sensuous.”