The GIA has announced the formation of a new advisory board to serve as a “think tank for new initiatives” and to be the “eyes and ears for identifying trends and needs of Church musicians.” The only member so far is Thomas Stehle at St. Matthews Cathedral in Washington, D.C.. During his time at St. Matthews, he has sponsored a regular organ recital and a singing of Vespers in Latin and English. The Schola is the premier group at the Cathedral. “Repertoire for the Schola ranges from medieval to contemporary, and includes Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, classical motets, and compositions by prominent contemporary composers of liturgical music. The Schola also provides Introits and Communion Antiphons for the weekly Latin Mass as well as special programs of Gregorian chant.” (My emphasis)
8 Replies to “A Shift to Watch at GIA”
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Wasn't this man responsible for the musical desecration in Washington DC when the Pope visited?
Well, I believe he is. You can google his name and read what he says about the music of the Papal Mass. Maybe he has somewhat different view since then.
Same guy, and my criticisms were ruthless. People close to the organizers of that event, however, assure me that it was a political nightmare to put together, and no one will triumphed, hence the fundamental liturgical incoherence of the whole thing. His experience at the cathedral illustrates that he at least understands the propers and chant.
I may be a cockeyed optimist, but this looks like green shoots to me.
I always allow for people to change their minds, especially since I've changed my own so many times.
Will this make the products (and that's what they are) from GIA better? One can only hope. A quick review of the GIA catalogue reveals who and what their cash cows are.
But again, I'm certainly open to seeing their published materials improve.
If I am not mistaken, the character of the repertory for the Mass in Washington was dictated from the very top. It was said that it should demonstrate to the Pope the diversity of American culture. It would seem that the kind of music now used at St. Matthew's Cathedral is what should have been sung for the Pope's Mass–the best you can do for the liturgy.
I agree with William Mahrt's analysis on what happened in DC. "Diversity of American culture" is nice but really has no place in the Roman Mass.
Truth be told, YMMV, the only papal liturgy during the American visitation of Benedict XVI that exemplified the Mahrt paradigm was the LoH at the Nat'l Basilica under Dr. Latona.