Why Good Church Music Matters

As you well know by now, the Church is not silent on music in the liturgy: what is appropriate for worship & what isn't, who should sing what & when - it's all there in the writings of popes, councils, bishop's conferences, & diocesan policies (see side bar) of the past hundred years.

Unfortunately, most Catholics, including musicians, & even the music directors (who, frankly, ought to know better) haven't the foggiest about any of this, & go on blissfully singing whatever Big Catholic Music Publisher tells them to sing out of their disposable holy books, which is virtually the exact opposite of the persistent message that Holy Mother Church has been trying to impart to her stiff-necked children for several generations now.

This must change, because ultimately worship is the heart of the Catholic Faith & damage to the liturgy damages our understanding of the Faith & our children's formation in it.  How we worship forms us in what we believe about God & what we are to do in response.  In short, the music we use at Mass forms us, either right or wrongly.  Lex orandi, lex credendi.

I am a pretty big fan of the writings of Fr. Dwight Longenecker, a convert from high-church Anglicanism.  He writes from the heart of the Church, with clarity & humor.  He also talks about the things no one will talk about, esp. the typical parish priest.  HERE is his 10-part "mega-post" on Catholic hymns, each post featuring a great hymn with some insight into what the big deal is about church music.

Also, here's the interesting views of a Catholic music "insider" who arrived at much the same position:
http://www.chantcafe.com/2013/11/james-macmillan-decides-to-stop-writing.html

If you need lighter fare, have a go at The Low Churchman's Guide To The Solemn High Mass.

"Become a saint!"

[Updated!] Concert Music Practice

Here is the final Christmas Concert music list.  I will begin posting practice videos below.

1. Hodie Christus Natus Est (chant)
2. Of the Father's Love I
3. Adeste/O Come All Ye Faithful
4. In Dulci Jubilo (concert version)
5. Jesu Redemptor Omnium
6. Hodie Nobis Caelorum Rex (chant - LM only)
7. Hodie Christus Natus Est (Palestrina - LM only)
8. Organ I
9. Of the Father's Love II
10. Once in Royal David's City (w/ children)
11. Silent Night (w/ children)
12. Away in a Manger (w/ children)
13. Sancta et Immaculata (chant - LM only)
14. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (Poston)
15. Ave Maria (Elgar)
16. Organ II
17. Of the Father's Love Begotten III
18. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
19. Good King Wenceslas
20. Coventry Carol (MG arrangement)
21. O Magnus Mysterium (Victoria - LM only)
22. Alma Redemptoris Mater (Palestrina)
23. We Wish You a Merry Christmas


1. Hodie Christus Natus Est by Westminster Cathedral choir

4. In Dulci Jubilo - All Parts

Here is proof I have no shame: half of us are sick & the other half are sight reading.  There is a glitch that takes a slice out of the recording in the first verse around measure 11 or 12, but otherwise, it goes something like this.

15. Ave Maria (Elgar) - All Parts

15b. Ave Maria (Elgar) - Alto

22a. Alma Redemptoris Mater - Soprano

22b. Alma Redemptoris Mater - Alto

Caroling (UPDATED! w/ practice videos)

Here is the list of carols for Sat, Dec 14,  roughly in order, with some Alto practice videos, though the Sopranos can use them, too.

There are a couple of tiny miscues, mostly due to Ericka's having learned other arrangements of these carols, but they're perfect for practice.  

There are all kinds of variations of words & harmonizations, but we will try to stick with what's on your music hand-outs unless specified otherwise.

If you want a second opinion, you might try the Adoremus Hymnal MP3 site linked on the side bar, though, inexplicably, they sometimes sing only in unison, not in parts.

1. Adeste Fideles / O Come All Ye Faithful

2. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing

Note: if Ericka sings the descant of verse 3, then everyone will sing melody for verse 3.

3. Once In Royal David's City

Note: we will sing verses 1, 2, & 4 of your caroling hand-out.

4. Away In A Manger

Note: on the second line of verse 1, change "The stars in the sky" to "The stars in the night sky."

5. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

6. In Dulci Iubilo

Note: The concert words are different from your previous caroling hand-out; this is what will learn & sing even for caroling.  The video shows verses 1 & 2 of the concert music.  This is the music we will use for caroling; the concert music is different for verses 3 & 4, but you will learn that, too, eventually.  I will have revised caroling sheet music & the concert music for you at next practice so we are all - literally & proverbally - singing off the same hymn sheet.

7. Good King Wenceslas

8. Jesus Christ The Apple Tree

9. Alma Redemptoris Mater

9a. I Saw Three Ships (alternative)

10. Joy To The World

11. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

"Become a saint!"

Mass for Christ the King (DOUBLY UPDATED! w/ practice videos)

Below is the music order for Mass & some practice videos.  We will do the Psalm & Alleluia in the normal, simple way.  You will still sing your part on the Psalm refrain & the Alleluia, but the cantor alone will sing the verses.

Intoit - How Worthy is the Lamb
Processional Hymn - Praise My Soul the King of Heaven
Kyrie/Gloria - Heritage Mass
Psalm/Alleluia - Handout for Nov 24
Offertory Motet - Jesu Rex Admirabilis
Offertory Hymn - The King of Love My Shepherd Is (if there's time)
Sanctus/Memorial/Amen/Agnus Dei - Heritage Mass
Communion - Sedebit Dominus Rex
Communion Hymn I - Gift of Finest Wheat or Lord, Who at Thy First Eucharist
Communion Hymn II - Panis Angelicus (video link on side bar)
Get'er Out'er - To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King

INTROIT - How Worthy Is The Lamb

Note: I will sing the incipit up to the asterisk, so y'all will join on "who" on the note Do.  I also fixed the music according to our editing decisions last Tuesday.  I will have new copies for you next practice.

COMMUNION

Note: I said the note name Ti instead of Te, but I sang the note pitch correctly. Hey, it's early.  Also, go HERE to hear how it's really done.

Finally, practice videos for Jesu, Rex Admirabilis:

SOPRANO

ALTO

"Become a saint!"

Christmas Music practice this Saturday!!!

I will brew us a pot of Mystic Monk coffee.

Hope to see you there; but if you can't make it, there will be other practices.

"Become a saint!"

Feast of All Saint's

Today is the feast day of those who have fought the good fight, finished the race, & kept the faith.  Through God's help & their intercession, may we join them one day!

Jill asked me to put together this video for the CREED religious ed program.  If you don't know what CREED is, you should drop in some time for dinner & a lesson.  

The music is from John Rutter's Requiem, specifically the introit Requiem Aeternum, the Kyrie, & the communion Lux Aeternum.  Rutter is an example of the many modern composers writing beautiful sacred music.

Also, as All Soul's Day is tomorrow, do not forget then, & always, to pray for the souls of those who have died in Christ.  An excerpt from the Knox Latin Mass newsletter...

Many contemporary Catholics have never attemded a traditional (requiem) Mass for the Dead, which is among the most conspicuously “Catholic” of all Catholic liturgies, dealing directly as it does with judgement and death as the wages of sin. The Masses of All Souls Day are offered in propitiatory sacrifice for the souls of all the faithful departed who are in purgatory.

"Become a saint!"