“To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King” • Melody Comes From Where?
Nobody seems capable of answering this question.
“Vespers of the Dead” • Most Elaborate Book of Hours I’ve Ever Seen
Our Lord said that if men withheld their praise of Him, “the very stones would cry out…”
PDF Download • Plainchant on 5 lines!
I can’t think of better way to learn Gregorian chant than to download this 651-page PDF file, containing the marvelous Gregorian Vesperale (1915) by Father Karl Weinmann (d. 1929) printed on five lines. If you accompany Vespers directly from the plainsong notation, this makes life easy! It’s also fun to compare the Gregorian chant inside […]
19 October 2022 • Feast of Saint Isaac Jogues & Companions
In Canada, they list Father Brébeuf first—in the United States, Father Jogues.
PDF Download • “Hymn List For Sundays” (until 8 December 2022)
As a child, Rex Harrison contracted measles, which took away the sight from his left eye for the rest of his life.
“Hymn By A Saint” • For All Saints (November 1st)
There’s something truly ‘haunting’ about this melody by Flor Peeters—and once it’s in your head, it’s hard to banish!
USCCB • “Principal Music Books for the Eucharist”
The principal books of music for the Eucharist were recently (re-)confirmed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This Sunday’s Introit • “Official” Rhythm
Our Schola Cantorum members prefer to hear recordings of chants we’re learning. This morning I attempted this recording of the INTROIT for this coming Sunday, which is the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. My voice was groggy, but I suppose we singers can’t expect to have a recording studio follow us around all day waiting for […]
PDF Download • “Liber Cantualis”
On 22 November 1963, Pope Paul VI established the “Consociatio Internationalis Musicae Sacrae.” On 16 July 1966, the Vatican reiterated that the Consociatio was “the only international association of sacred music approved by the Holy See.” It’s very difficult—at least for me—to figure out what happened to that organization, and whether it still exists. One […]
PDF Download • “Salve Regina” Chant in English (Four Different Versions)
I never knew these existed until earlier today!
PDF Download • 1915 “Gregorian Vesperale” … Printed On Five Lines! (651 Pages)
Father Weinmann placed plainsong on five (5) lines, yet still used Gregorian notation—including chord symbols!
Feedback • “Not Happy With Your Article”
“My name is *******. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on your recent blog post. I was very displeased with this article. […] I’ve have been a supporter of the Latin Mass since I was 14 years old. I’m now 26 and a seminarian; and I very much hope (in the near future) […]
“Times & Locations” • Traditional Latin Masses in the Diocese of Arlington
Bishop Burbidge has forbidden eight parishes from publishing Mass times in their bulletins, parish websites, or social media channels!
“Chord Pausing” • Choir Warm-Ups
Download my “choir warm-up” at this link. Have your singers pause on different chords. As choirmaster, see if you can identify each seventh chord in real time (and which position it’s in). You can hear my volunteer choir attempting this. You will notice that we still have work to do, because the singers must be […]
“Bravery!” • Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
“The portable organ shall be lowered into the quire to accompany the singers, who shall sing solos in their order of seniority…” —1604 document