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!"