“Must Hymns Always Rhyme?” • (With Examples)
Non-rhyming hymns are certainly a strong temptation since they’re so much easier to compose.
Articles
Palestrina Would Not Recognize This! • (Plus: Hopeful Signs)
On 21 September 2023, composers Dan Schutte, Roc O’Connor, and Bob Dufford stood in the Sanctuary of Old St. Patrick’s Church…
Vollaerts Revisited
“The time is ripe to reconsider the contributions of Fr. Jan Vollaerts to Gregorian musicology.” —Patrick Williams
Eight (8) Responsorial Psalm Options • On turning Missalettes into little “gods”
They have embraced a certain opinion about matters and will never change—not even on their deathbed.
Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Nuances of Nuances” (28 Sep 2023)
“Reading deliberate ‘nuances’ into normal variations in handwriting is a solution in search of a problem.” —Patrick Williams
Active Participation or Not?
“Somehow, an amplified soloist drowning out everyone else is deemed ‘active participation,’ but a choir of thirty voices singing polyphony is not.” —Patrick Williams
(Not Kidding) • Does Singing for Mass Fulfill One’s Obligation to Attend Mass?
Jeff Ostrowski provides five (5) responses to an assertion made by a priest.
A Brief Addendum
In praise of the Cardine approach to chanting, with some further thoughts on pluralism and correctness in performance practice.
PDF Download • All Seven (7) Movements: “Mass in Honor of Saint Noël Chabanel”
My Mass setting for the Ordinary Form involves your Congregation, your Cantrix, and your Choir.
Composer Kevin Allen in Europe!
Can anybody tell where Mæstro Allen is?
“Slander!” • (Response to an Accusation We Received)
“Please don’t get cocky and think of your methods as somehow innately superior or universally and inarguably superior in their benefits.” —Email from a Reader
Some Questions Answered
Some very quick answers to questions posed by Patrick Williams.
Concerning Alterations to the Vatican Edition
“I cannot imagine any justification for making such an alteration and still claiming that one’s edition corresponds to the Vaticana.” —Patrick Williams
Introducing the CRCCM Repertoire Project
“Here is offered choral music recommendations for all Sundays and major liturgical occasions of the church year, including selected Ritual Masses. The repertoire is submitted by CRCCM members and is offered to all musicians of liturgical churches throughout the world.”
“Everybody Loves Raymond” Actress Responds to Cardinal Dolan
“The ‘Lamb of God’ can reach the length of a baseball game.” —Cardinal Dolan