Must We “Love” All Gregorian Chant?
Where “Parce Dómine” (the famous song for Lent) came from.
Gregorian Semiology
My Response to Dr. Weaver’s Latest Article
Is it fair to forever bind Dom Guéranger to what he wrote about “barbarous archaisms” in 1855?
PDF • Draft Booklet “Couture Chant” (255 Pages)
This is very much a “work in progress”…
Vollaerts Revisited
“The time is ripe to reconsider the contributions of Fr. Jan Vollaerts to Gregorian musicology.” —Patrick Williams
Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Fourth Response to Patrick” (19 July 2023)
Twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to conduct a week-long interview with Dom Cardine’s former boss.
“Solesmes Ictus” • Can It Be Justified? (Examples)
“If you begin by telling a man that in a word like 𝐷𝑒𝑢𝑠 the first syllable corresponds to the weak beat, the second to the strong beat of a modern bar, the only thing accomplished will be to bewilder him thoroughly.” —Father Bewerunge
“Gregorian Chant Rhythm Wars” • Ostrowski Vs. Williams
My colleague, Patrick Williams has agreed to enter into a “colloquy” with me vis-à-vis Gregorian rhythm.
PDF Download • Mocquereau on Trochee Trouble
This can seem like a dry topic, but it actually often deals with practical issues faced by every choirmaster who wants to promote plainchant.
“New Gregorian Chant Project” • Part 2
Using this coming Sunday (12th Sunday after Pentecost) as an example.
Gregorian Chant • Its “True” Rhythm
I’m dumbstruck (with joy) to see that my recent video presentation on plainsong rhythm has garnered quite a number of “views” on VIMEO. I also made the full presentation available on YouTube, and—as I write these words—it has collected 700+ views. How cool is it that folks are still interested in the rhythm of Cantus […]
“Chant Rhythm Wars” • Dueling Lectures!
Ostrowski Vs. Weaver: Solesmes Rhythm, Gregorian Semiology, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Pothier, Mensuralism, and more!
Summer Courses in Sacred Music in New York
This summer, there are several interesting graduate-level courses on offer at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York.
“Slanty Wampus” Doesn’t Count
From one of my composition teachers…
“Old Solesmes” Method • What’s That?
I recently conducted an experiment…with surprising results.
Catholic Choirmasters • Never Fall For This!
Statements so appalling, egregious, and atrocious they must be corrected…