Posted on by Jeffrey Tucker

The AUG, the SEP, and What to Sing in a Pinch

My new copy of the Anglican Use Gradual came yesterday. I find this book completely indispensable. It is the Catholic musician’s best friend.

It has all the schola propers of the Roman Rite arranged according to the current calendar and beautiful set to Gregorian tones. If you can’t sing the Roman Gradual, this is a great way to have the propers happen and they sound very beautiful. One fan calls it “instant class” – a funny remark that you would understand if you know the way the music and words work in this book.

In so many ways, this book is the direct influence on the Simple English Propers currently in preparation: its ease of use, its practicality, its connection to history, its dignity, its accessibility.

Hard copy is essential (though you can download it too). He is where you can buy it.

9 Replies to “The AUG, the SEP, and What to Sing in a Pinch”

  1. Excuse the simplicity of this cat's inquiry – but why use this Anglican source when one can download Adam Bartlett's simple propers each week? Soon enough, the book of these propers will be available…patience.

  2. Well, it is NOT an Anglican source, despite the name. It is a Catholic source for the approved Anglican Use.

    I agree about AUG and SEP, but the point is that this one is in print. Even after the SEP, it can play a role but of course once SEP appears in print, the SEP becomes even more essential.

  3. This is certainly fine, and as a Roman Catholic I welcome it. But what about the tradition of Anglican Chant? Isn't it also part of "Anglican Patrimony"?

  4. I think "in a pinch" is the key. The AUG is indeed beautiful and simple — but in my experience, it's not something you want to do week-in and week-out. It is simply too repetitive. That being said, my choir is on vacation from practice this week (a well needed post-Christmas season rest) and the AUG will serve us very well this coming Sunday.

    I want to echo Sid and praise Anglican chant. It takes some effort on the part of the director to point the propers and psalm verses, but there are literally scores and scores of Anglican chants to choose from and many are amazingly beautiful. The Hymnal 1940 is a good place to start.

  5. The AUG and SEP are not mutually exclusive but display the energy that is being placed in revitalizing music in the church. Anglican chant is, in some respects, a derivative of plainsong or Gregorian (Sarum) Chant. On some occasions, I have used "simplified Anglican chant" some of which can be found in the Service Music volume of the The Hymnal 1982. Whatever chant we use, it does take effort on the director's part both in self-preparation and learning as well as in effectively teaching singers. It is in this last area, alas, where so much Catholic music falls down. Having said that, it is good that a new generation of well trained and skilled church musicians is coming to the forefront.

  6. Can anyone explain what the difference is between this book and the "Plainchant Gradual", by Palmer and Burgess, reprinted by CMAA? Thanks.

  7. Pat, this book is mostly Psalm tones – not entirely but mostly. P/B is the real chant melodies with English text underneath. Another thing is the calendar of course. AUG is ordinary form. P/B is old cal.

  8. If only the AUG didn't have the word "Anglican" in the title. Petty as it seems, this is a real stumbling block for a lot of people. They get confused and when you try to explain the situation their eyes glaze over.

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