Yes, chant camp - for the kids! David Hughes at St. Mary's in Norwalk, CT held one of those. That's about as ingenious as they come! Big time kudos. This is excellent!
Pictures here. RSCT to Jeffrey Tucker.
Peace,
BMP
PS: Think someone in my diocese or its neighbors to the north or east will follow suit? Or perhaps NaPalM?
Showing posts with label chant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chant. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
CHANT WORK-OUT
RSCT to Jeffrey Tucker. This actually appears on a work-out shirt and other cool accessories, available from The Recovering Choir Director.Peace,
BMP
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
HOW TO BUILD A MUSIC PROGRAM
by Fr. Frank Phillips, CR
Fr. Phillips, as many may know, is pastor and restorer of many good things at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago. Here he talks about building a music program. I'll be listening very soon, once I get my cast up. This coming from Fr. Phillips, I'm optimistic that this will be VERY good!
Listen here
RSCT to Aristotle
Peace,
BMP
Fr. Phillips, as many may know, is pastor and restorer of many good things at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago. Here he talks about building a music program. I'll be listening very soon, once I get my cast up. This coming from Fr. Phillips, I'm optimistic that this will be VERY good!
Listen here
RSCT to Aristotle
Peace,
BMP
Friday, February 8, 2008
SURPRISE, SURPRISE!
OCP's best seller is...
NOT any of the Hi God volumes
NOT any of Carey Landry's other albums
NOT any of the Saint Louis Jesuit albums (together or solo)
NOT any of the Weston Priory ditties
NOT any of the Tom Conry ditties
NOT any of the new CCM-style ditties
It sure as hell ISN'T this.
One can be very surprised to hear that OCP's best selling album is O Lux Beatissima: A Treasury of Gregorian Chant. You wouldn't think so when you look at the catalogs and see the crap that takes up the bulk of the pages (read: the stuff that gets pushed - Schutte, Haugen* Haas* Joncas, Manalo, Lung, Agrisano, etc.) and that the chant section barely gets one page. You wouldn't think so when you look through a music issue and see that same "pushed" stuff taking up about 70% of the hymnal's pages and that you hear a lot of it in most of the English-speaking parishes of the world.
*Note: Most of the music by the "artists" still known as Haugen and Haas is owned by GIA. However, there are a few ditties here and there that are owned by OCP due to the publishing outlets that they gobbled up over the years.
The fact that a chant CD is the number one OCP seller is a very pleasing surprise. But how do I know this? Well, I got this from Jeffrey Tucker at NLM, and I trust Jeffrey Tucker as about as reliable as they come (besides, he got it from "Inside information of the very reliable sort").
Now if this could only be reflected in our parishes' music programs.
Peace,
BMP
NOT any of the Hi God volumes
NOT any of Carey Landry's other albums
NOT any of the Saint Louis Jesuit albums (together or solo)
NOT any of the Weston Priory ditties
NOT any of the Tom Conry ditties
NOT any of the new CCM-style ditties
It sure as hell ISN'T this.
One can be very surprised to hear that OCP's best selling album is O Lux Beatissima: A Treasury of Gregorian Chant. You wouldn't think so when you look at the catalogs and see the crap that takes up the bulk of the pages (read: the stuff that gets pushed - Schutte, Haugen* Haas* Joncas, Manalo, Lung, Agrisano, etc.) and that the chant section barely gets one page. You wouldn't think so when you look through a music issue and see that same "pushed" stuff taking up about 70% of the hymnal's pages and that you hear a lot of it in most of the English-speaking parishes of the world.*Note: Most of the music by the "artists" still known as Haugen and Haas is owned by GIA. However, there are a few ditties here and there that are owned by OCP due to the publishing outlets that they gobbled up over the years.
The fact that a chant CD is the number one OCP seller is a very pleasing surprise. But how do I know this? Well, I got this from Jeffrey Tucker at NLM, and I trust Jeffrey Tucker as about as reliable as they come (besides, he got it from "Inside information of the very reliable sort").
Now if this could only be reflected in our parishes' music programs.
Peace,
BMP
Monday, October 1, 2007
CHANTED READINGS IN THE ORDINARY FORM
Anyone ever do this?
Jeffrey Tucker states in the NLM blog: The readings at Mass are rarely sung. It's a pity because singing the readings lends and incredible dignity to the text (and the English in the OF needs that!).
It would be extremely easy to assume that Jeff is referring to the Ordinary Form of the Mass. After all, in the Extraordinary Form, the Epistle and Gospel ARE chanted in High Mass as a rule.
Rare as it is, chanting the Gospel at the Ordinary Form was actually something we did on major feasts at Holy Name when I was there. Since I left in August 2003, the pastor was reassigned (and, just like at Holy Name, he's doing great things at his current parish, St. Leo the Great), as was the permanent deacon who did the chanting. And yes, the Gospel was chanted in English.
For anyone who wants to try a hand at chanting the readings, Jeff leaves us this guide as help.
Peace,
BMP
Jeffrey Tucker states in the NLM blog: The readings at Mass are rarely sung. It's a pity because singing the readings lends and incredible dignity to the text (and the English in the OF needs that!).
It would be extremely easy to assume that Jeff is referring to the Ordinary Form of the Mass. After all, in the Extraordinary Form, the Epistle and Gospel ARE chanted in High Mass as a rule.
Rare as it is, chanting the Gospel at the Ordinary Form was actually something we did on major feasts at Holy Name when I was there. Since I left in August 2003, the pastor was reassigned (and, just like at Holy Name, he's doing great things at his current parish, St. Leo the Great), as was the permanent deacon who did the chanting. And yes, the Gospel was chanted in English.
For anyone who wants to try a hand at chanting the readings, Jeff leaves us this guide as help.
Peace,
BMP
Friday, July 20, 2007
THE COMPLETE LIBER USUALIS --- ONLINE!
You can download it from Musica Sacra! Warning - it's a huge download! Over 2100 pages in one giant .pdf file, it took me over 20 minutes to download, and I have a normally very good cable connection, but it's worth it!
Peace,
BMP
Peace,
BMP
Saturday, July 14, 2007
CHANT SESSION CANCELLED AT N(a)P(al)M
...according to this thread. That is, the N(a)P(al)M convention in Indy this year.
My big $64,000 question is... WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED?
Peace,
BMP
My big $64,000 question is... WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED?
Peace,
BMP
Monday, June 11, 2007
NEW SCHOLA IN PHILLY
I got an e-mail this afternoon from Michael Lawrence of NLM fame. There's a new schola in the works in Philadelphia, specializing in chant and polyphony. Here's their new blog. I'll be adding it to the CV Definitive Blogroll!
Peace,
BMP
Peace,
BMP
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
HELP WANTED
Chant and Polyphony Master - Pontifical North American College
This is where one of my old Holy Name buddies has been spending the last few years. Dylan Corbett, the buddy in question, will be ordained a deacon this fall in Rome. He will be ordained a priest in June 2008 - hopefully here in Providence!
Anyhoo, it is his seminary, the Pontifical North American College in Rome, that is seeking a Chant and Polyphony Master. See Musica Sacra for details.
Peace,
BMP
This is where one of my old Holy Name buddies has been spending the last few years. Dylan Corbett, the buddy in question, will be ordained a deacon this fall in Rome. He will be ordained a priest in June 2008 - hopefully here in Providence!
Anyhoo, it is his seminary, the Pontifical North American College in Rome, that is seeking a Chant and Polyphony Master. See Musica Sacra for details.
Peace,
BMP
Thursday, May 24, 2007
VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS
Does your parish know it?
We're using it at our parish, at all four weekend Masses, like it or not. New Advent's Catholic Encyclopedia describes Veni, Creator Spiritus as the "most famous of hymns". This may be true. But be honest. How many parishes do you think will be singing the "most famous of hymns"?
I say 25% at best. Of that 25%, about 10% of these parishes will enjoy the singing of the Veni, Creator Spiritus by the congregation (as well as the choir). Jeffrey Tucker at NLM figures 10%, maybe 20%.
Yes, even OCP's Today's Missal includes Veni, Creator Spiritus. It's number 84. They're slowly getting better at including MORE actual hymns in their worship aids, including those in chant. Now if we can only get them to clean out the garbage. (GIA's Gather is next!)
Peace,
BMP
We're using it at our parish, at all four weekend Masses, like it or not. New Advent's Catholic Encyclopedia describes Veni, Creator Spiritus as the "most famous of hymns". This may be true. But be honest. How many parishes do you think will be singing the "most famous of hymns"?
I say 25% at best. Of that 25%, about 10% of these parishes will enjoy the singing of the Veni, Creator Spiritus by the congregation (as well as the choir). Jeffrey Tucker at NLM figures 10%, maybe 20%.
Yes, even OCP's Today's Missal includes Veni, Creator Spiritus. It's number 84. They're slowly getting better at including MORE actual hymns in their worship aids, including those in chant. Now if we can only get them to clean out the garbage. (GIA's Gather is next!)
Peace,
BMP
Monday, April 23, 2007
SURPRISE, SURPRISE!
OCP Advertises Latin Book!
It's been out, but not pushed much. But I got this in my regular mailing from them:
OCP offers Latin resources to make Latin chant part of your community's Sunday worship.
Particularly, they show a supplement called Laus Tibi, Christe, a book chocked full of Latin hymns and chants. Although it was originally intended to supplement the latest JourneysongS hymnal, you could add it to just about anything. Their best product to date, IMO.
Peace,
BMP
It's been out, but not pushed much. But I got this in my regular mailing from them:
OCP offers Latin resources to make Latin chant part of your community's Sunday worship.
Particularly, they show a supplement called Laus Tibi, Christe, a book chocked full of Latin hymns and chants. Although it was originally intended to supplement the latest JourneysongS hymnal, you could add it to just about anything. Their best product to date, IMO.
Peace,
BMP
Friday, March 16, 2007
DECALOGUE FOR THE ORGANIST AND CHURCH SINGER
Hat tip to Bear-i-tone.
OK, this may date back to 1933, but a lot (of not all) of this holds true still today. This was written by Fr. Carlo Rossini, then-Organist/Choirmaster at St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh. Some may recognize Fr. Rossini's name with the Liturgical Organist multi-volume series of short preludes, postludes, and such. I have his first volume, by a very happy accident.
But anyhoo, here's the Decalogue (emphasis mine):
1. Since music in church becomes part of the liturgy it is in itself Worship. Church music, therefore, must be offered in the best possible way. (Does Haugen/Haas/St. Louis Jesuits ditties constitute the "best possible way"? Doubtful.)
2. The first requirement for a good rendition of church music is that the the singers be permeated with the Spirit which prompts Holy Mother Church during the different Seasons of the Ecclesiastical Year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost). (Of course, in 1933 there was no such thing as Ordinary Time. We could easily make an adaptation for that by letting the readings of the day from Holy Scripture set the tone.)
3. Choir members, in order to sing with the proper expression and to give God intelligent praise, should become familiar with the meaning of the phrases of the liturgical text through the English translation of the Missal.
4. Church singing must retain the character of choral music. Consequently, no individual voice in the choir should be heard above the others; no personal ambition or desire to "show off" should be tolerated. (Ah yes, this reminds me of two people - a cantor from an outside parish that a former pastor of mine once hired for Saturday Masses who acted like a diva and left disappointed because she didn't get to do her brand of music - DE-DA-DEE! - and Thomas Day's depicting of "Mr. Caruso" in his book Why Catholics Can't Sing.)
5. The singing should always proceed smoothly(legato). The tedious defect of producing a separate impulse of the voice for each note and syllable should be carefully avoided. The contrary defect of "sliding", "slurring", and "scooping" should also be avoided. (This holds especially true for chant and polyphony. Not always the case for traditional metrical hymnody.)
6. In chanting the Proper of the Mass the tempo to be observed is that of a solemn, oratorical declamation of the text. A short pause will be made after the middle cadence of the psalm -tone and whenever the breathing mark () is found. The recitation on the "long note" (Dominant) of the psalm tone must be done evenly as if each syllable of the text carried an eighth-note.
7. The correct accentuation of the words is an important factor in good singing. In fact, talking and singing follow similar rules, the accented syllable always receiving the greater emphasis.
8. The Italian pronunciation of the Latin is prescribed by the Church. Singers, therefore, should carefully enunciate both vowels and consonants according to the Italian system. (I may post these rules, from 1933 later.) (Is Latin even taught these days anymore? My niece goes to a CATHOLIC high school that doesn't even offer Latin. In fact, the ONLY foreign language they offer is Spanish. I took two years of it in a PUBLIC high school, albeit Classical Latin, over 25 years ago. Even with that, Ecclesiastical Latin isn't hard to adapt. Some pronuciations are different, but the translation is the same.)
9. The organist should never forget that the organ accompaniment must serve only to "support" the singing, and should never overpower the voices. (It should also excite. Not show off, but excite. Let the hymn itself decide registration. Use that registration. Don't drown everyone out with it, if you can help it, though. Most hymns do well with 8'4'2' registration, perhaps a good four-rank mixture, and finish off the last verse with a nice, yet blending, chorus reed.)
10. Liturgical chant in early Christian centuries belonged exclusively to the Choir of Levites, and our church singers today, although laymen, are taking their place. Members of church choirs, therefore, should consider their office as a "privilege" and should show themselves worthy of the same by a dignified, modest and devout bearing. (With this last rule, I direct the readers back to rules 1 and 4.)
Peace,
BMP
OK, this may date back to 1933, but a lot (of not all) of this holds true still today. This was written by Fr. Carlo Rossini, then-Organist/Choirmaster at St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh. Some may recognize Fr. Rossini's name with the Liturgical Organist multi-volume series of short preludes, postludes, and such. I have his first volume, by a very happy accident.
But anyhoo, here's the Decalogue (emphasis mine):
1. Since music in church becomes part of the liturgy it is in itself Worship. Church music, therefore, must be offered in the best possible way. (Does Haugen/Haas/St. Louis Jesuits ditties constitute the "best possible way"? Doubtful.)
2. The first requirement for a good rendition of church music is that the the singers be permeated with the Spirit which prompts Holy Mother Church during the different Seasons of the Ecclesiastical Year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost). (Of course, in 1933 there was no such thing as Ordinary Time. We could easily make an adaptation for that by letting the readings of the day from Holy Scripture set the tone.)
3. Choir members, in order to sing with the proper expression and to give God intelligent praise, should become familiar with the meaning of the phrases of the liturgical text through the English translation of the Missal.
4. Church singing must retain the character of choral music. Consequently, no individual voice in the choir should be heard above the others; no personal ambition or desire to "show off" should be tolerated. (Ah yes, this reminds me of two people - a cantor from an outside parish that a former pastor of mine once hired for Saturday Masses who acted like a diva and left disappointed because she didn't get to do her brand of music - DE-DA-DEE! - and Thomas Day's depicting of "Mr. Caruso" in his book Why Catholics Can't Sing.)
5. The singing should always proceed smoothly(legato). The tedious defect of producing a separate impulse of the voice for each note and syllable should be carefully avoided. The contrary defect of "sliding", "slurring", and "scooping" should also be avoided. (This holds especially true for chant and polyphony. Not always the case for traditional metrical hymnody.)
6. In chanting the Proper of the Mass the tempo to be observed is that of a solemn, oratorical declamation of the text. A short pause will be made after the middle cadence of the psalm -tone and whenever the breathing mark () is found. The recitation on the "long note" (Dominant) of the psalm tone must be done evenly as if each syllable of the text carried an eighth-note.
7. The correct accentuation of the words is an important factor in good singing. In fact, talking and singing follow similar rules, the accented syllable always receiving the greater emphasis.
8. The Italian pronunciation of the Latin is prescribed by the Church. Singers, therefore, should carefully enunciate both vowels and consonants according to the Italian system. (I may post these rules, from 1933 later.) (Is Latin even taught these days anymore? My niece goes to a CATHOLIC high school that doesn't even offer Latin. In fact, the ONLY foreign language they offer is Spanish. I took two years of it in a PUBLIC high school, albeit Classical Latin, over 25 years ago. Even with that, Ecclesiastical Latin isn't hard to adapt. Some pronuciations are different, but the translation is the same.)
9. The organist should never forget that the organ accompaniment must serve only to "support" the singing, and should never overpower the voices. (It should also excite. Not show off, but excite. Let the hymn itself decide registration. Use that registration. Don't drown everyone out with it, if you can help it, though. Most hymns do well with 8'4'2' registration, perhaps a good four-rank mixture, and finish off the last verse with a nice, yet blending, chorus reed.)
10. Liturgical chant in early Christian centuries belonged exclusively to the Choir of Levites, and our church singers today, although laymen, are taking their place. Members of church choirs, therefore, should consider their office as a "privilege" and should show themselves worthy of the same by a dignified, modest and devout bearing. (With this last rule, I direct the readers back to rules 1 and 4.)
Peace,
BMP
Friday, January 26, 2007
STEUBENVILLE ADDS SACRED MUSIC TO CURRICULUM
Hat tip ad multis...
Franciscan University of Steubenville is pleased to announce the creation of a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music to begin in the fall of 2007. The degree may be pursued in either the program in voice or the program in organ. Pianists may audition for the program in organ on the piano. Courses will include private instruction on the major instrument, music theory, music history, conducting and a year-long course in Gregorian Chant. In addition, students will participate in the Schola Cantorum Franciscana, which concentrates on polyphony and chant and sings for occasional services on and off campus.
Interested students may apply for admission to the university at:
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Admissions
1235 University Blvd.
Steubenville, OH 43953
Very surprising, but very welcome news considering when I hear the name "Steubenville", I think Jim Cowan and similar folk/rock style tuneage (so-called "geared for youth"). In fact, up here in Southern New England, there is a group called "Steubenville East" that meets - mainly teens. Teens can now go up to Steubenville and see good things happening there. Very encouraging, if you ask me.
Peace,
BMP
Franciscan University of Steubenville is pleased to announce the creation of a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music to begin in the fall of 2007. The degree may be pursued in either the program in voice or the program in organ. Pianists may audition for the program in organ on the piano. Courses will include private instruction on the major instrument, music theory, music history, conducting and a year-long course in Gregorian Chant. In addition, students will participate in the Schola Cantorum Franciscana, which concentrates on polyphony and chant and sings for occasional services on and off campus.
Interested students may apply for admission to the university at:
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Admissions
1235 University Blvd.
Steubenville, OH 43953
Very surprising, but very welcome news considering when I hear the name "Steubenville", I think Jim Cowan and similar folk/rock style tuneage (so-called "geared for youth"). In fact, up here in Southern New England, there is a group called "Steubenville East" that meets - mainly teens. Teens can now go up to Steubenville and see good things happening there. Very encouraging, if you ask me.
Peace,
BMP
Sunday, August 6, 2006
A TESTIMONY IN FAVOR OF CHANT
So, your congregation won't sing chant, eh? Well, that's what one music director used to think, according to an e-mail he sent to the fine people at the St. Cecilia Schola Cantorum.
Here's an excerpt:
I taught all of the chants (Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) in a single rehearsal and the choir sang them very well. A few grumbled "The congregation won't know them or sing along." Wrong. They did sing them, and rather loudly. Something in the collective Roman Catholic memory was stirred, and I watched with amazement as the young and old read the chants out of the worship aid and sang along almost as well as our dearly beloved "Mass of Creation." Many people complimented me after Mass and said they had never heard such beautiful music ever in that church. The soil here is very fertile....
Now all he's gotta do is ditch Massive Cremation. Don't say anything - just silently do it. It will go away nearly unnoticed.
Read the whole post here.
Peace,
BMP
Here's an excerpt:
I taught all of the chants (Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) in a single rehearsal and the choir sang them very well. A few grumbled "The congregation won't know them or sing along." Wrong. They did sing them, and rather loudly. Something in the collective Roman Catholic memory was stirred, and I watched with amazement as the young and old read the chants out of the worship aid and sang along almost as well as our dearly beloved "Mass of Creation." Many people complimented me after Mass and said they had never heard such beautiful music ever in that church. The soil here is very fertile....
Now all he's gotta do is ditch Massive Cremation. Don't say anything - just silently do it. It will go away nearly unnoticed.
Read the whole post here.
Peace,
BMP
Monday, July 10, 2006
THE "GARAGE SCHOLA", and UNDER-EXPOSURE
Viva la revolución!
How to Start Your Own Garage Schola, by Arlene Oost-Zinner and Jeffrey Tucker. Link is to the .pdf.
Hat tip to the St. Cecilia Schola Cantorum.
I only have one issue in reading this, and it's not with the authors or the article:
...you can buy a nice collection of chants in modern notation from the Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) titled Laus Tibi, Christe.
And:
The Gregorian Missal, produced by Solesmes Abbey (and available from OCP)...
If only more people knew that OCP was actually selling this stuff. You don't hear much about it. I know it's there. But you never see these in the front pages of the website or the printed catalog. Instead, the "happy clappy" makes the headlines. Same with GIA, who also carries The Gregorian Missal. Where are these listings? In the back pages, behind all the Landry/St. Louis Jesuits fare, behind all the Haugen/Haas fare, behind all similar ilk. Publishers, the good thing is that you DO carry these books - The Gregorian Missal, Graduale Romanum, Graduale Triplex, and other similar books of chant. Promote them! Push them! Get them into the front pages of your printed catalogs and your web pages! You will have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain - starting with a better reputation and more respect from those who support the reform of the reform!
Peace,
BMP
How to Start Your Own Garage Schola, by Arlene Oost-Zinner and Jeffrey Tucker. Link is to the .pdf.
Hat tip to the St. Cecilia Schola Cantorum.
I only have one issue in reading this, and it's not with the authors or the article:
...you can buy a nice collection of chants in modern notation from the Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) titled Laus Tibi, Christe.
And:
The Gregorian Missal, produced by Solesmes Abbey (and available from OCP)...
If only more people knew that OCP was actually selling this stuff. You don't hear much about it. I know it's there. But you never see these in the front pages of the website or the printed catalog. Instead, the "happy clappy" makes the headlines. Same with GIA, who also carries The Gregorian Missal. Where are these listings? In the back pages, behind all the Landry/St. Louis Jesuits fare, behind all the Haugen/Haas fare, behind all similar ilk. Publishers, the good thing is that you DO carry these books - The Gregorian Missal, Graduale Romanum, Graduale Triplex, and other similar books of chant. Promote them! Push them! Get them into the front pages of your printed catalogs and your web pages! You will have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain - starting with a better reputation and more respect from those who support the reform of the reform!
Peace,
BMP
Thursday, June 29, 2006
CATHOLIC EDUCATION and the GREAT OUTDOORS
Hat tip to New Advent.This is the whereabouts of the brand spankin' new Wyoming Catholic College.
Imagine the addition of a basilica-sized chapel on this campus? Would be sweet!
Here is what Kevin Knight at New Advent says:
It's going to be really Catholic. With Benedictine spiritual formation, Confession and moral formation, Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion and "a culture of daily Mass attendance."
The curriculum is Great Books.
Most intriguingly, outdoor education will be a mandatory part of the experience. Freshman orientation consists of a three-week backpacking trip in the nearby mountains. (And yes, they realize that most incoming freshmen will be Twinkie-weaned city mice. Guides will teach them everything they need to know while they're out there.)
But here's what the college's liturgical choir will be singing, according to the college's website:
The choir will sing both contemporary and longstanding traditional sacred music including Gregorian chant. (emphasis mine)
The fact that they've remembered to include those two styles I emphasized above is a great plus. In terms of contemporary, however, will that be the folk/pop styles, or just contemporary in age (a la Peloquin, Proulx, Rutter, etc.)? I'd be curious. I'd have no problem with the latter.
Here's the present church. According to the college website, the temporary site for WCC is located the Catholic parish of Holy Rosary Church on the southern edge of Lander, Wyoming.Again, emphasis mine. Hmmmmm! Lots of nice basilica-style-ediface-friendly space. Doesn't have to be now. After all, the college is just starting out. But in later years, maybe?
Looks like they're heading in the right direction anyways.
Peace,
BMP
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
MUSIC for ASCENSION THURSDAY and VII EASTER
at TWO DESTINATIONS
at HOLY GHOST CHURCH
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2006 - 7 PM
Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Heaven
Celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation in the Diocese of Providence
(and a good chunk of other right coast dioceses too)
Introit: LLANFAIR - Hail the day that sees him rise (Missalette, #79)
Penitential Rite: parrot the celebrant
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: Page - God mounts his throne to shouts of joy, a blare of trumpets for the Lord
Alleluia: Mode II - from O Filii et Filiae
Offertory: ABBOT'S LEIGH - Lord, you give the great commission (Music Issue, #362)
Eucharist: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells (includes Agnus Dei)
Lord's Prayer: chant, English
Communion: FESTIVAL CANTICLE - This is the feast of victory (Music Issue, #597)
Recessional: HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! sing to Jesus (Music Issue, #741)
SATURDAY/SUNDAY, MAY 27/28, 2006
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Introit: LLANFAIR - Hail the day that sees him rise (Missalette, #79)
Penitential Rite: parrot the celebrant
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: Tone 8G - The Lord has set his throne in heaven
Alleluia: Mode II - from O Filii et Filiae
Offertory:
(except 10:30) ABBOT'S LEIGH - God is love, let heav'n adore him (Music Issue, #426)
(10:30) Page - God mounts his throne to shouts of joy
Eucharist: Jubilate Deo
Lord's Prayer: chant, English
Communion: UNDE ET MEMORES - Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray (Music Issue, #356)
Meditation (10:30): Lotti - Regina caeli
Recessional: HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! sing to Jesus (Music Issue, #741)
at the CHAPEL OF THE ANNUNCIATION,
BISHOP STANG HIGH SCHOOL, NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2006 - 11 AM on WLNE Channel 6 (Providence RI/New Bedford MA)
The Seventh Sunday of Easter (taped yesterday 5/20, will air 5/28)
We'll see how much editing will be done between the TV station and the Fall River diocesan communications department. Mind you, this Mass only gets a half-hour slot on TV.
Celebrant: Fr. Thomas Kocik, author of The Reform of the Reform?
Introit: Mode I - Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam (Gregorian Missal, page 387, antiphon only)
Penitential Rite and Gloria recited (again - that push from officials: HALF HOUR)
Responsorial Psalm: Tone 8G - The Lord has set his throne in heaven
Alleluia: Mode II - from O Filii et Filiae (verse sung in English)
Offertory: Mode I - Ascendit Deus in jubilatione (Gregorian Missal, page 389)
Eucharist: Jubilate Deo
Lord's Prayer: recited
Communion: UNDE ET MEMORES - Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray (Music Issue, #356)
Recessional: (organ postlude) Campra - Rigaudon, first 16 bars (just enough to cover)
Side note: Fr. Kocik does a great Mass. I took no dough. Instead, I took pride in helping Fr. Kocik promote the reform of the reform on the small screen, and hearing music you hardly hear in the Fall River Diocese, sad to say. The organ in the chapel we taped at, however, is a Hammond. You be the judge: instrument or appliance? I also heard the tail end of a previous taping (which probably aired today), celebrated by a different priest. The usuals - Massive Cremation, and the out hymn was Rescucito! rendered on the organ like a tango. If I wanted to hear that kind of trash, I would have put on my dad's old Herb Alpert/Tijuana Brass albums and kicked back at my desk (Herb was a killer trumpeter in his day too, so don't think I don't like his music; just not at church).
Peace,
BMP
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2006 - 7 PM
Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Heaven
Celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation in the Diocese of Providence
(and a good chunk of other right coast dioceses too)
Introit: LLANFAIR - Hail the day that sees him rise (Missalette, #79)
Penitential Rite: parrot the celebrant
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: Page - God mounts his throne to shouts of joy, a blare of trumpets for the Lord
Alleluia: Mode II - from O Filii et Filiae
Offertory: ABBOT'S LEIGH - Lord, you give the great commission (Music Issue, #362)
Eucharist: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells (includes Agnus Dei)
Lord's Prayer: chant, English
Communion: FESTIVAL CANTICLE - This is the feast of victory (Music Issue, #597)
Recessional: HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! sing to Jesus (Music Issue, #741)
SATURDAY/SUNDAY, MAY 27/28, 2006
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Introit: LLANFAIR - Hail the day that sees him rise (Missalette, #79)
Penitential Rite: parrot the celebrant
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Responsorial Psalm: Tone 8G - The Lord has set his throne in heaven
Alleluia: Mode II - from O Filii et Filiae
Offertory:
(except 10:30) ABBOT'S LEIGH - God is love, let heav'n adore him (Music Issue, #426)
(10:30) Page - God mounts his throne to shouts of joy
Eucharist: Jubilate Deo
Lord's Prayer: chant, English
Communion: UNDE ET MEMORES - Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray (Music Issue, #356)
Meditation (10:30): Lotti - Regina caeli
Recessional: HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! sing to Jesus (Music Issue, #741)
at the CHAPEL OF THE ANNUNCIATION,
BISHOP STANG HIGH SCHOOL, NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2006 - 11 AM on WLNE Channel 6 (Providence RI/New Bedford MA)
The Seventh Sunday of Easter (taped yesterday 5/20, will air 5/28)
We'll see how much editing will be done between the TV station and the Fall River diocesan communications department. Mind you, this Mass only gets a half-hour slot on TV.
Celebrant: Fr. Thomas Kocik, author of The Reform of the Reform?
Introit: Mode I - Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam (Gregorian Missal, page 387, antiphon only)
Penitential Rite and Gloria recited (again - that push from officials: HALF HOUR)
Responsorial Psalm: Tone 8G - The Lord has set his throne in heaven
Alleluia: Mode II - from O Filii et Filiae (verse sung in English)
Offertory: Mode I - Ascendit Deus in jubilatione (Gregorian Missal, page 389)
Eucharist: Jubilate Deo
Lord's Prayer: recited
Communion: UNDE ET MEMORES - Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray (Music Issue, #356)
Recessional: (organ postlude) Campra - Rigaudon, first 16 bars (just enough to cover)
Side note: Fr. Kocik does a great Mass. I took no dough. Instead, I took pride in helping Fr. Kocik promote the reform of the reform on the small screen, and hearing music you hardly hear in the Fall River Diocese, sad to say. The organ in the chapel we taped at, however, is a Hammond. You be the judge: instrument or appliance? I also heard the tail end of a previous taping (which probably aired today), celebrated by a different priest. The usuals - Massive Cremation, and the out hymn was Rescucito! rendered on the organ like a tango. If I wanted to hear that kind of trash, I would have put on my dad's old Herb Alpert/Tijuana Brass albums and kicked back at my desk (Herb was a killer trumpeter in his day too, so don't think I don't like his music; just not at church).
Peace,
BMP
Monday, April 24, 2006
TODAY'S LITURGY, SUMMER 2006
Ah yes, got my copy of the ever popular liturgy "planning guide", if you want to call it that. I only get it because we still have their missalettes and music issues in the pews. Anyhoo...
The big brag on the back page with their LicenSing ad is the NPM top three: Eagle's Wings, Here I Am, Lord, and Be Not Afraid. Popular, yes. Appropriate for revival meetings and to listen to in concert or on CD? Absolutely! Appropriate for Holy Mass? Not really.
Open the rag to the inside front cover - what do you see? THE ST. LOUIS JESUITS ARE BACK! OK - good! When's their next gig around here? Just don't make the same mistake you made the first time by inserting this material in hymnal and sticking said hymnal into pew.
Page 3 - 2005 UNITY AWARD WINNERS - all performers of sacro-pop! I start to wonder now -- the name of the magazine is Today's Liturgy! Just what does this have to do with liturgy?
Page 29 - The interview with Michael Joncas where he actually praises Eagle's Wings, despite just months before wishing he never wrote it. Who paid him to recant? Next page: Eagle's Wings in English AND Spanish! Double barf!
Pages 38-40 - Now, here is a section that usually gets rather good, and this issue is no exception. Two columns on hymnody, one by Alice Parker, the other by Don Sailers.
The Parker column this month is Let It Sing and Dance, featuring four hymns in triple meter. Ms. Parker writes well of these pieces, though the only part I beg to differ is her interpretation of The King of Love My Shepherd Is. She hears it at 148 on the metronome and says that it might be more clearly noted in 6/8. I hear it more as something very meditative, and not so rushed at all - perhaps at about 80 on the metronome, and with no stops brighter than 4' (although a good fluty 1-1/3' can blend well with the 8' and 4'). Now, like I've said in the past, not all of OCP is bad! I give Alice Parker kudos for a good article here.
The Sailers column, Chants in Honor of Mary, is also good. Personally, I wouldn't touch the Norbert Ave with a "thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole", but he does use it to sample a bilingual English/Latin effect. The other four are all chants - Ave Maria, Alma Redemptoris Mater, Salve Regina, and Regina Caeli. My chief complaint of this column - Alma Redemptoris Mater isn't in the Music Issue. Why??? (It made the new JourneysongS, which really is improved - not completely, but far better than the Music Issue or any previous OCP issue).
Now we get to the planning pages. Here's where I get to take issue with Dr. Elaine Rendler. Now, first, let's go to a previous issue where, within the planning pages, mind you, she writes:
"...As a Catholic, I am embarrassed at some of the un-Christian web sites and online conversations regarding muscal styles. I am friendly with music ministers of other faith traditions who have clued me in on some of the vitriolic postings that are available for public comsumption by musicians who call themselves Catholic Christians. ....I just happened upon a web site for people who want to eliminate certain composers from church music. I couldn't believe it! These postings are giving us - Catholic musicians who see our work as a sacred trust, a gift from God, a calling, and a true pastoral ministry serving the faithful - a bad name. If this is someone's idea of fun, then some people have too much free time. Think of all the hours wasted tearing down other people when they could be used to build up the kingdom of God."
There, there, Doctor. I wouldn't be so much embarrassed at such sites. You're probably referring to a good portion of the Catholic blogosphere, the Moratorium, and maybe a few other musicians and organizations who are equally embarrassed by the music that gets slopped in front of them each Sunday at Holy Mass. I mean, COME ON! Anyone can write bad music and call it a ministry, but for the sake of good liturgy, let the "bad music" ministry be a private one. Remember this really bad O Holy Night? That was written off as a ministry too - can you believe it??? I think this every time I see or hear All are welcome, Table of plenty, and Song of the Body of Christ, and similar ilk. So, before we, who want nothing more than to give our Lord the best possible praise we can give him and within the very guidelines given to us by Holy Mother Church, would be glad to stop mocking such bad music if only people would quit mocking the Holy Eucharist by programming such crap.
Dr. Rendler DOES have a point I agree with highly - in the planning page for 7/2/06, she writes:
"Tuesday, Independence Day, is not included in the liturgical calendar. Ask what the liturgy has to say to us as a people this year on this holiday. Don't overuse patriotic songs."
Now THAT is something I do agree on big time. I love my country just as much as my neighbor, and his neighbor, and his, etc., but one thing that irks me is in many parishes almost every time a secular holiday comes up, whether it's the Fourth, or Labor Day, or Memorial Day, etc., they fill their weekend music with at least two patriotic songs, one of them guaranteed to be America the Beautiful, not on the holiday itself, but on the Sunday closest to it! I'm sorry - but secular holidays should take no precedence over the Sunday at Mass. Save it for the secular celebrations - and of course, the ball game.
Now, on the page for 7/23/06, my attitude changes here.
"A reader wrote that her pastor would like more traditional entrance songs in the music suggestions. I'm not quite sure what she or her pastor meant by 'traditional'."
I would more or less guess that she means actual hymns and not hootenanny music. I don't think this pastor is asking for anything out of line.
Finally, I differ again with the doc:
"What takes place at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the Preparation of the Gifts (formerly the Offertory).
Formerly??? The Offertory was never banished, and wrong again is when she says:
"However, the offering of Jesus to the Father takes place in the Eucharistic Prayer, after the Sanctus".
How about "Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer..." (same with the wine). It's in the Eucharistic Prayer that the Church (via the priest) asks to "let it become for us the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, AT WHOSE COMMAND, we celebrate this Eucharist." The GIRM still calls the hymn that takes place at the "Preparation" the "Offertory Chant". It's been the "Offertory" for centuries. If it's not broken (and I don't think it is), don't fix it.
That's my "book review" for the day.
Peace,
BMP
The big brag on the back page with their LicenSing ad is the NPM top three: Eagle's Wings, Here I Am, Lord, and Be Not Afraid. Popular, yes. Appropriate for revival meetings and to listen to in concert or on CD? Absolutely! Appropriate for Holy Mass? Not really.
Open the rag to the inside front cover - what do you see? THE ST. LOUIS JESUITS ARE BACK! OK - good! When's their next gig around here? Just don't make the same mistake you made the first time by inserting this material in hymnal and sticking said hymnal into pew.
Page 3 - 2005 UNITY AWARD WINNERS - all performers of sacro-pop! I start to wonder now -- the name of the magazine is Today's Liturgy! Just what does this have to do with liturgy?
Page 29 - The interview with Michael Joncas where he actually praises Eagle's Wings, despite just months before wishing he never wrote it. Who paid him to recant? Next page: Eagle's Wings in English AND Spanish! Double barf!
Pages 38-40 - Now, here is a section that usually gets rather good, and this issue is no exception. Two columns on hymnody, one by Alice Parker, the other by Don Sailers.
The Parker column this month is Let It Sing and Dance, featuring four hymns in triple meter. Ms. Parker writes well of these pieces, though the only part I beg to differ is her interpretation of The King of Love My Shepherd Is. She hears it at 148 on the metronome and says that it might be more clearly noted in 6/8. I hear it more as something very meditative, and not so rushed at all - perhaps at about 80 on the metronome, and with no stops brighter than 4' (although a good fluty 1-1/3' can blend well with the 8' and 4'). Now, like I've said in the past, not all of OCP is bad! I give Alice Parker kudos for a good article here.
The Sailers column, Chants in Honor of Mary, is also good. Personally, I wouldn't touch the Norbert Ave with a "thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole", but he does use it to sample a bilingual English/Latin effect. The other four are all chants - Ave Maria, Alma Redemptoris Mater, Salve Regina, and Regina Caeli. My chief complaint of this column - Alma Redemptoris Mater isn't in the Music Issue. Why??? (It made the new JourneysongS, which really is improved - not completely, but far better than the Music Issue or any previous OCP issue).
Now we get to the planning pages. Here's where I get to take issue with Dr. Elaine Rendler. Now, first, let's go to a previous issue where, within the planning pages, mind you, she writes:
"...As a Catholic, I am embarrassed at some of the un-Christian web sites and online conversations regarding muscal styles. I am friendly with music ministers of other faith traditions who have clued me in on some of the vitriolic postings that are available for public comsumption by musicians who call themselves Catholic Christians. ....I just happened upon a web site for people who want to eliminate certain composers from church music. I couldn't believe it! These postings are giving us - Catholic musicians who see our work as a sacred trust, a gift from God, a calling, and a true pastoral ministry serving the faithful - a bad name. If this is someone's idea of fun, then some people have too much free time. Think of all the hours wasted tearing down other people when they could be used to build up the kingdom of God."
There, there, Doctor. I wouldn't be so much embarrassed at such sites. You're probably referring to a good portion of the Catholic blogosphere, the Moratorium, and maybe a few other musicians and organizations who are equally embarrassed by the music that gets slopped in front of them each Sunday at Holy Mass. I mean, COME ON! Anyone can write bad music and call it a ministry, but for the sake of good liturgy, let the "bad music" ministry be a private one. Remember this really bad O Holy Night? That was written off as a ministry too - can you believe it??? I think this every time I see or hear All are welcome, Table of plenty, and Song of the Body of Christ, and similar ilk. So, before we, who want nothing more than to give our Lord the best possible praise we can give him and within the very guidelines given to us by Holy Mother Church, would be glad to stop mocking such bad music if only people would quit mocking the Holy Eucharist by programming such crap.
Dr. Rendler DOES have a point I agree with highly - in the planning page for 7/2/06, she writes:
"Tuesday, Independence Day, is not included in the liturgical calendar. Ask what the liturgy has to say to us as a people this year on this holiday. Don't overuse patriotic songs."
Now THAT is something I do agree on big time. I love my country just as much as my neighbor, and his neighbor, and his, etc., but one thing that irks me is in many parishes almost every time a secular holiday comes up, whether it's the Fourth, or Labor Day, or Memorial Day, etc., they fill their weekend music with at least two patriotic songs, one of them guaranteed to be America the Beautiful, not on the holiday itself, but on the Sunday closest to it! I'm sorry - but secular holidays should take no precedence over the Sunday at Mass. Save it for the secular celebrations - and of course, the ball game.
Now, on the page for 7/23/06, my attitude changes here.
"A reader wrote that her pastor would like more traditional entrance songs in the music suggestions. I'm not quite sure what she or her pastor meant by 'traditional'."
I would more or less guess that she means actual hymns and not hootenanny music. I don't think this pastor is asking for anything out of line.
Finally, I differ again with the doc:
"What takes place at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the Preparation of the Gifts (formerly the Offertory).
Formerly??? The Offertory was never banished, and wrong again is when she says:
"However, the offering of Jesus to the Father takes place in the Eucharistic Prayer, after the Sanctus".
How about "Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer..." (same with the wine). It's in the Eucharistic Prayer that the Church (via the priest) asks to "let it become for us the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, AT WHOSE COMMAND, we celebrate this Eucharist." The GIRM still calls the hymn that takes place at the "Preparation" the "Offertory Chant". It's been the "Offertory" for centuries. If it's not broken (and I don't think it is), don't fix it.
That's my "book review" for the day.
Peace,
BMP
Monday, February 27, 2006
Music in Lent at Fatima Church, Lafayette
For the first Sunday of Lent, I usually write a blurb for the parish bulletin which explains to the faithful the various minor changes to the liturgy during this holy season. Here is the brief article:
SACRED MUSIC DURING THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT
Faithful Mass-goers will observe a number of traditional modifications to the daily and Sunday liturgies during Lent which reflect the penitential nature of the season. No altar flowers are present during the season, with the exception of the fourth Sunday, Laetare, which offers a slight respite from the rigors of fast, abstinence, penitence, and alms-giving. Also, there are neither organ preludes nor postludes played, or any other instrumental music offered at Holy Mass during the season. Instruments are used solely for the introduction to and accompaniment of singing. In Lent, the faithful will notice during the distribution our practice of singing several communion hymns. The canticle of the angels, the Gloria in Excelsis, common to the Mass after the Kyrie at other times, is omitted throughout Lent. Also, the Alleluia is absent from all hymns and chants, and especially before the versicle preceding the reading of the Holy Gospel. In place of the Alleluia and versicle at the Gospel Procession of Solemn High Mass, the prescribed Lenten Tract is intoned. The Tracts are lengthy scriptural texts appointed by Holy Mother Church especially for use at this point in the Mass on each of the Lenten Sundays. At other Masses and at daily Mass, a simple Lenten acclamation is used. At Solemn High Mass, the ordinary will be the Kyrie Eleison from Missa XVII in conjunction with the chants of the Iubilate Deo. In Holy Week, it is the tradition of the Church that no musical instruments whatsoever be used to accompany singing. We will continue to observe this worthy and pious tradition. For complete listing of the Tracts in Latin with English translation, please visit the Sacred Music page of the parish website: www.fatimalafayette.org.
SACRED MUSIC DURING THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT
Faithful Mass-goers will observe a number of traditional modifications to the daily and Sunday liturgies during Lent which reflect the penitential nature of the season. No altar flowers are present during the season, with the exception of the fourth Sunday, Laetare, which offers a slight respite from the rigors of fast, abstinence, penitence, and alms-giving. Also, there are neither organ preludes nor postludes played, or any other instrumental music offered at Holy Mass during the season. Instruments are used solely for the introduction to and accompaniment of singing. In Lent, the faithful will notice during the distribution our practice of singing several communion hymns. The canticle of the angels, the Gloria in Excelsis, common to the Mass after the Kyrie at other times, is omitted throughout Lent. Also, the Alleluia is absent from all hymns and chants, and especially before the versicle preceding the reading of the Holy Gospel. In place of the Alleluia and versicle at the Gospel Procession of Solemn High Mass, the prescribed Lenten Tract is intoned. The Tracts are lengthy scriptural texts appointed by Holy Mother Church especially for use at this point in the Mass on each of the Lenten Sundays. At other Masses and at daily Mass, a simple Lenten acclamation is used. At Solemn High Mass, the ordinary will be the Kyrie Eleison from Missa XVII in conjunction with the chants of the Iubilate Deo. In Holy Week, it is the tradition of the Church that no musical instruments whatsoever be used to accompany singing. We will continue to observe this worthy and pious tradition. For complete listing of the Tracts in Latin with English translation, please visit the Sacred Music page of the parish website: www.fatimalafayette.org.
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