Antiphons Vs. Hymns • A “Both/And” Church
“[T]he primordial question is centered on how the hymn or antiphon will help the assembly enter more deeply into the mystery being celebrated.” — Christopher Ferraro
Archives for September 2023
What Robert Did to My Graphics
“Dear Cynthia: I landed on your website while searching for…”
“Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” […]
This Sunday! • Q&A “Developing a Youth Choir Program”
I will be privileged to field your questions alongside two well known and widely respected church musicians: Mary Ann Carr Wilson and Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka.
PDF Download • “Glory To God” for Congregation & Choir (Mass of Saint Noël Chabanel)
My setting begins with the entire congregation singing—but the middle section is SATB polyphony.
Gregorian Chant Introit • (Sung According to the Official Rhythm of the Catholic Church)
This coming Sunday is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost (EF).
(Quiz) • “How Well Do You Know Your Hymns?”
Including a tip on preventing choirs from ‘sinking’ the pitch lower and lower.
William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire […]
Enter the Gregorian Rhythm Wars
My goal is to clarify and illumine what I believe exactly is at stake when we debate the rhythm in chant. I shall first attempt to summarize the core arguments that each of the main authors in this blog series use.
“Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on […]
Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Mocquereau on Trial” (16 Sep 2023)
“The burden of proof is on the one who persists in ignoring the evidence.” —Patrick Williams
Implementing a Private Lesson Program for Your Choir
How to sell the idea to your singers, and what to teach them. (Part 2 of 2)
For the Record: “Jeff Plays Organ”
Twenty-five years ago, if you’d told me I would end up as an organist, I would have laughed. But God seems to have had a different plan! I intend to record every hymn in the Brébeuf Hymnal on the pipe organ (if our Savior gives me the time and energy). You can hear my first recording […]
Natália Explains: “Why You Should Care About Shared Melodies.”
Everything’s going great, until you start playing…
Traditional Latin Mass with Vernacular (!) Ordinary at High Mass in the 1600s
I will let you in on a secret!