Christmas Day Latin Mass

A very Merry Christmas to all!

I snagged a couple of recordings on my phone from our Solemn High Mass downtown.  Quality is terrible & nearly everyone present was sick a dog, but it's something.

First is the Communion verse "Viderunt omnes" & second is the Latin version of Lo, How A Rose, which we affectionately call, Lo, How A Radish Blooming.

See you on Saturday!  God willing, we'll all be better by then.  Safe travels!

P.S.: I added to the sidebar links an address given by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger on Sacred Music & liturgy.  It's importance is that it looks past ephemeral arguments about music taste & delves deeply into the theology of music in the liturgy, where we arrive at the "why" & "for whom" of the "what" we are doing.  It also calls out many of the modern errors we experience.  I used an excerpt as a quote on the back of the concert program.

"Become a saint!"

UPDATED! Music Order for Mass: Dec 31

Introit - Hail, Holy Mother

Processional Hymn: Immaculate Mary (blue #446)

Mass Ordinary: Heritage Mass

Psalm & Alleluia: R & A

Offertory: Ave Maria by Elgar

Communion:  Exult, O Daughter of Zion

Communion Hymn I: Silent Night (blue #293)

Communion Hymn II: Lo, How A Rose (blue #300)

Post-Communion: Alma Redemptoris Mater (Palestrina or just the chant)

Recessional: Joy to the World (blue #306)

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia - Christmas Music

The beloved Dominican Sisters of Nashville have recorded a set of Christmas carols & songs that are quite lovely (click HERE).  Fitting, since St. Cecilia is the patroness of musicians.

They also cover several of the pieces we will be singing, including Of The Father's Love Begotten (with an unexpected harmony!), Lo How A Rose, & others.  All recordings are free for download.  Of course, nothing's stopping you from sending them a donation.  HERE is their homepage.

As an aside, the first organist for the Knox Latin Mass Schola was a little teenaged girl named Mary.  She is now Dominican Sister Felicity.  Her younger sister, Anne, is now our organist, & their youngest sister, Catherine, is learning how to play, too.  Their oldest brother, Michael, is a seminarian for the Diocese of Knoxville, soon to be ordained a deacon in St. Peter's Basilica.

P.S.: I just got an email notice about the 2014 Aquinas Forum, sponsored by Aquinas College.  The Forums are an amazing opportunity to go so much deeper in knowledge & love of the Faith.  The website is HERE.

Thank God for the faithful Sisters who live, teach, & sing the Gospel!

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!"

Propers for 30th Sunday

Here is a practice video of the Introit & Communion for the 30th Sunday.  I recorded this at about 6:00am in the morning before my coffee : )  The staff lines get a little messed up when the file compresses, so sorry about that.

Hope it helps!  See you on Tuesday.

"Become a saint!

It's A Date!

The Christmas Concert is now set for Tuesday, December 31 from 4:00 to 5:30pm, with Mass beginning at 6:00pm.  Yes, that's New Year's Eve Day.  One of my coworkers asked if, since we're Catholic, he could bring a flask.

There are a zillion details to be figured out, but we will work on that.  I would love to figure out a way to record it in a semi-professional manner.  A camcorder with a very good microphone or can accept a good microphone would probably be acceptable, if you have one or know someone who does.

We have to get the program down to 90 minutes - the song list is probably closer to 2 hours as it stands, including the organ interludes & especially if the bell choir plays a few pieces.  We could scrap a couple of the chant Antiphons & maybe a couple of carols, but not too many.

Our practices are going well!  If you still need some inspiration, I found this at the Chant Cafe:

These young ladies are doing almost exactly what we are aiming to do: learn, love, & share the beauty of genuine Catholic sacred song for the good of souls (incl. our own!) & the glory of God.  The future looks lovely!

Practice hard; see you on Tuesday.

"Become a saint!"

Hymns

Hi Folks,

I mentioned in my email that we will focus on the hymns for Mass at next practice.

Regarding the hymns:

1) Women will all sing melody, but if you have a lower voice you can sing down an octave if you like.  That way you can just sing what's in the blue missalette music book.

2) IF, however, you want to sing the alto harmony line, the Adoremus Hymnal MP3 site listed in the sidebar is a good resource for hearing what it should sound like.  Also, everything is probably on YouTube.  But, you will need a copy of the music from the red, hardbound choir hymnal.

3) I plan to sing my tenor part; Ericka may or may not sing b/c she will be playing the electro-organ.

4) There are no harmonies for Where Charity & Love Prevail - it's all unison, like a chant.

See y'all at practice (at 5:30p, unless you need the extra lesson time at 5:00p).

"Become a saint!"

P.S.: Father is trying to shoot down my Jan 1 Christmas Concert date.  He says no one will attend. I think it will be much harder to get anyone's attention after Jan 1 & I am not open at all to singing liturgical Christmas music before Christmas Day.  If you can think of another date, please let me know, b/c I just can't think of one that works.

Mass Schedule - 30th Sunday

Hi Folks, here's the order of music for our first Mass on Oct 26:

Based on our experience so far, I have decided that:

a) Practice will be scheduled every week.  We need more time together.

b) Start time needs to move up.  Regular practice is from 5:30 to 6:45pm.

I will meet with Marty (& with whomever else wants to come early) at 5:00pm, b/c she has to leave for concert band practice at 6:00pm.

c) We will skip Vespers for now.

If you have objections to any of this, please let me know via email or phone.  Thanks.

"Become a saint!"

Catch-up Practice!

I will be at the church from 5:00 - 6:00pm on Tuesday, October 1 for a non-mandatory catch-up practice for anyone who feels they need a little extra instruction.

No Vespers.

"Become a saint!"

Vespers

Greetings Scholars,

Vespers will be held at 5:30pm in the church on Tuesday, Sep 24, that is, just before practice.  I will bring copies of the required music/text.

Something to ponder: I am planning on singing Vespers every Tuesday from now on.  That was Fr. Christian's original mandatum for Regina Caeli - to sing Vespers.

From the General Instructions of the Liturgy of the Hours:

268. The sung celebration of the divine office is more in keeping with the nature of this prayer and a mark of both higher solemnity and closer union of hearts in offering praise to God.  Therefore, the singing of the office is earnestly recommended to those who carry out the office in choir or in common.

270. In celebrating the liturgy singing is not to be regarded as an embellishment superimposed upon prayer; rather it wells up from the depth of a soul intent on prayer and the praise of God and reveals in a full and complete way the community nature of Christian worship.

In keeping with this understanding, perhaps Regina Caeli can finally fulfill it mission if some or all of you would agree to participate in regular Tuesday Vespers as you are able.  I know Fr. Doug is all for more sung Vespers & may be willing to preside if we can make it a steady, regular thing.  It also puts us in his ear, literally & figuratively, if you catch my meaning.

I believe this would accomplish good things for our group, for us individually, & for the parish.  On a practical level for us, besides learning the order of the office & its various hymns, chants, & prayers through repetition, the more we sing together the more we begin to "gel" as a group & discover the unique voice hidden within our group; & the office is a relatively non-threatening, low-pressure way to do that.

We can discuss it at practice.

"Become a saint!"

Practice Videos III

Here are the parts for two Eucharistic hymns that we will be singing with some regularity & which are already in your notebooks.  There are a zillion versions of these, including chants.  We will learn other arrangements when we get these basics down.  Some notes:

I) In O Salutaris Hostia, we will sing the three notes for host-Sti-Li-A and Ter-Mi-No as straight quarter notes of equal length, not what is printed.

II) Remember that "H"s in Latin are silent, so we will sing Hostia as "Oh-stee-ah" and in Panis Angelicus, we will sing hominum as "Oh-mee-noom."  Got it?  I knew you would.

III) We will add the Amens to these hymns, even if not printed.  I will give you your notes at practice, though you can probably guess them.

IV) A trick for learning/checking your part is to sing your part with another part or with the All Parts recording.  You will find out quickly if you really know your part.

O SALUTARIS HOSTIA

All Parts Together:

Soprano:

Alto:

Tenor:

PANIS ANGELICUS

All Parts Together:

Soprano:

Alto:

Tenor:

You can a hear a sung 4-part version of the same arrangement of Panis Angelicus at the Adoremus Hymnal link on the side bar.  It is #523 in the list.

"Become a saint!"

Practice Videos II

Here is the Kyrie for our new "Mass setting," the Heritage Mass.  Hopefully, we will have the music by our next practice.

The Kyrie is a little different, in that it builds up the voices as it goes on.  We will try starting with just women singing all in the same Soprano octave, then add Altos (who will sing the Tenor line), and finally Tenors (who will sing the Bass line).  Altos: if you can't decipher Bass clef notation, I will re-write it in Treble clef for you.

All Parts Together:

Soprano:

Alto:

Tenor:

Practice Videos I

Our good friend & Latin Mass scholar, Ericka, allowed me to record her playing the various parts of some of our music, including the new Heritage Mass Kyrie (& she sight read most of it, which is pretty amazing).

I will probably have to post in several installments (I will provide a link on the side bar), but I hope this makes your practice time more fruitful.

PSALM - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

All Parts & Soprano:

Alto:

Tenor:

ALLELUIA

All Parts & Soprano:

Alto:

Tenor:

New Practice Day, New Ordinary, & Christmas

THE MEETING

All the parish musicians from all the various factions, er, groups met with Fr. Doug tonight.  His purpose was to thank us for our service & encourage us to keep on keeping on.

He publicly validated our schola, saying the workshop Mass really captured his heart & he looks forward to hearing more sacred music from us in the future.

THE NEW MASS ORDINARY

That said, it probably would have been better for me to go to Confession after the meeting, because the new Mass setting that St. Thomas will begin using soon is, well, uh, um... let's say an improvement over Missa Luna.

Drum roll, please!  Our new Mass setting (cue Soul Train theme) is the Heritage Mass, circa 1977.  Chicka-bow. Chicka-bow-bow.  OK, it's not that bad.  The Agnus Dei is actually pretty sweet.  However, it does have heavy 70's, nursery-rhyme-meets-Peter, Paul, & Mary overtones.  One of my favorite quotes: "Why is it better to be nostalgic for 1979 than 1579?"

Alright, enough of that.  It is an improvement.  And we will sing it as beautifully as we can & supplement with genuine sacred music as we are able.  I will get copies for all of you as soon as I can.

Father emphasized smoothness & predictability in the flow of Mass, both for himself & the congregation.  He needs a choir that he can rely on to know what to do & when to do it.  That means we should all commit to being true students of the liturgy so that there are no surprises.  If necessary (& it is), read the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) & the Missal itself .  You will be surprised how much you learn.

THE PROPER THING TO DO

I asked Father if he was open to having the Introit & Communion propers sung at Mass instead of recited or ignored.  He said go for it.  I will talk to Donna to about implementation plans, but I may have to write all of them myself, because what's in our missalettes doesn't match the standard texts for those pieces.

THE PLAN

Practice will move to Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30pm.  Here is our schedule for the next few months:

Sep 24  - Practice
Oct 8    - Practice
Oct 22  - Practice
Oct 26  - Sat Vigil Mass, 30th Sun Ordinary Time - meet at 4:00pm to warm-up
Nov 5   - Practice
Nov 19 - Practice
Nov 23 - Sat Vigil Mass, Christ the King  - meet at 4:00pm
Nov 26 - Practice
Dec 3   - Practice
Dec 10 - Practice
Dec 17 - Practice
Dec 21 - Sat Vigil Mass, Advent IV - meet at 4:00pm

Note that weekly practices are scheduled from mid Nov thru Christmas

CHRISTMAS

I am very much thinking of a Christmas program where the schola can really offer some lovely things to the parish.  Christmas is on a Wed this year, so maybe the evening of the Sunday prior?  Other suggestions?  I will put together a list of potential music.  One thing we will learn even if it kills us! is Alma Redemptoris Mater by Palestrina.  It is simple, but gorgeous.  YouTube it.

We may also participate in the music program for Christmas Eve or Day.  Please let me know your availability at the next meeting.

We may also take our show on the road & sing carols/hymns/motets at some of the local assisted living facilities in the area.  I've done that before & it's an absolute delight.

Be working on your music until then.  E-mail, call, or text me anytime with question, concerns, or ideas.  Thanks!

"Become a saint!"
...

Praised be Jesus Christ & His Virgin Mother!  Another new beginning!

Next practice is Monday, September 9 from 6:00 to 7:00pm.

Vespers will be held beforehand at 5:40pm.  I will have all the required materials.

Please bring a pencil, a water bottle, & your materials from the workshop.

You can get a head start on practice by downloading the Parish Book of Chant from the Church Music Association of America (CMAA) HERE.

We will go over the following pieces:
o Pater Noster
o Ave Verum Corpus
o Ave Maria
o Alma Redemptoris Mater

Can't wait!  See you there!

"Become a saint!"