Ben Yanke hosts this list of published Proper chants for the Ordinary Form, his collaborative work with “Frogman” Noel Jones. What a tremendous service!
Choosing the Better Part (of the Hymnal)
An article I’ve written for the Adoremus Bulletin is now available online. It talks about one of the characteristics of a great hymn, the use of Scriptural imagery.
One of the hymns in the article, my translation of Excelsam Pauli gloriam, has been included again this year in the booklet for this Friday’s Papal Vespers for the Conversion of St. Paul. This celebration held at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Another of the hymns in the article is my translation of Aeterne rerum Conditor, one of the few hymns we can definitively ascribe to St. Ambrose, which makes delightful use of the biblical image of the rooster. The rooster wakes us, and wakefulness is a characteristic virtue of the ancient Christian hymns. The rooster awoke St. Peter and called him to repentance. The same can happen for all of us.
Eternal maker of all things
Of day and night the sov’reign King,
Refreshing mortals, You arrange
The rhythm of the seasons’ change.
The rooster sounds his morning cry—
Throughout the night he watched the sky—
For travelers, a guiding light
To tell the watches of the night.The morning star that hears the cry
Dispels the darkness from the sky.
The demons, hearing the alarm
Abandon all their paths of harm.The sailor hears and he is brave;
The sea becomes a gentle wave.
The rooster’s call reached Peter’s ears:
He washed away his sins in tears.Our wav’ring hearts, Lord Jesus, see.
O look upon us, make us free,
For in Your gaze no fault can stay,
And sins by tears are washed away.O Light, upon our senses shine.
Dispel our sleepiness of mind,
That we may sing Your morning praise,
Then, vows fulfilling, live our days.
Move the Motet
As a parish Music Director I would ordinarily program a motet for the post-Communion quiet time. But now I am not so sure that’s the best time for the choir to do a special choral number. A better idea would be to get into the habit of singing a motet at the Offertory, based on the Offertory text of the day. During the Offertory the people are busy with the collection. Sung participation in the hymn is at a low ebb. This would be the perfect opportunity to begin the kind of active listening that the Graduale envisions for the people during the gradual/tract, Alleluia, and of course the Offertory.
Parish Book of Chant, 2nd Edition: It’s Coming!
Benedictine Monks/ Gregorian Chants from Le Barroux
Fr. David M. Friel on the new Missal
This is surely the best one-article defense of the new Missal I’ve seen. It hits every high point and offers the best and most compelling examples.
The Final Rehearsal
This short video of pre-Mass rehearsals at the Winter Chant Intensive includes many shots of St. Joseph’s stunning interior, including the many stained-glass windows which illuminate the entire space. The women’s schola was led by yours truly, and the men’s schola was conducted by Richard Rice.
This video was shot on Friday morning…just an hour before the final Mass, and after a grueling but rewarding week of study and practice. The focus it requires to sing chant shows on the faces of all of the singers. I think the camaraderie that developed among participants and between participants and the instructors is evident as well. Toward the end of the video you hear Fr. Jonathan Venner of Sioux Fall, South Dakota, singing through the lesson, beautifully and prayerfully, for a final time before the Mass.
The upcoming Summer Chant Intensive is scheduled for June 3-7, 2013, at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Details will be posted shortly at MusicaSacra.com