Well, not quite. But the Sacred Music Colloquium is already 2/3 full. Last year we had to close registration in mid April and start a waiting list. The numbers look like we’re heading in the same direction this year. We recommend not waiting until after Easter to register.
Dioceses Taking on the Missal Chants
Janet Gorbitz reports on this weekend’s workshop in Shreveport:
The Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana’s Office of Worship sponsored a music workshop at the Diocesan Catholic Center this weekend (March 18-19). With presenters from GIA (Gregorian Institute of America, Rob Strusinski), OCP (Oregon Catholic Press, Louis Canter), WLP (World Library Publications, Alan Hommerding) and CMAA (Janet Gorbitz), the attendees had the opportunity to hear many new Mass settings for the new Roman Missal translation. Dianne Rachal, the Director of the Office of Worship, was the epitome of southern hospitality, welcoming us with graciousness, comfort and good food.
Bishop Michael Duca gave a short welcome to all attendees on Saturday morning, encouraging those present to embrace the new changes and asking them to work together with the priests to make it possible to sing more parts of the Mass. During the two-day workshop, about 50-60 attendees from the region had the opportunity to sing through several different settings from each of the publishers and were given sample copies of some of the new music that will be available.
The CMAA portion of the workshop was focused on the new Missal chants that are provided free of charge at the ICEL website, as well as musical resources for singing the Mass propers in English. The attendees sang through the new Mass ordinaries, including the Credo III, with ease. They also sang Proper antiphons that are part of the Adam Bartlett’s Simple Propers project and were able to also learn about Chabanel Responsorial Psalms, including one composed by Arlene Oost-Zinner.
A short discussion of CMAA’s efforts to aid church musicians in their quest to make the liturgy more beautiful included the use of the Parish Book of Chant. The attendees were given a very short tutorial on the reading of “square-note” notation and sang a couple of chant hymns in Latin from the Parish Book of Chant during the session.
With the new resources for the proper antiphons in English freely available, the new Missal translation implementation can mark a new era in parish liturgical music in the coming years. Once again, we can all be thankful for the generosity of our Catholic composers who are sharing their work with the Church. Workshops such as this one are great places to get information and music into the hands of more church musicians.
Their Heads Must Have Been Spinning
Russel Roan asks refreshing questions about the modal structure, and more interestingly, about the grammatical structure of this Sunday’s Communio:
Now on paper, it would seem this should be the easiest of the three we do (Introit, Offertory, Communion). There are no melismas, and the melody is almost syllabic. It is tightly bound, dipping only once at the very end below the tonic RE (to DO at the very end of the piece) and climbs only a fifth above the tonic to LA. My mathematical analysis (I’m an engineer, not a musician!) would suggest to me that perhaps this is mode II not mode I as marked, given the tightness of the range of the piece, and the seeming cluster of the melody around FA (the dominant of mode II) as opposed to LA (mode I dominant), which we only reach four times and as I said is the highest we climb in the melody.
I’d love to claim that this cognitive dissonance was why I had difficulty with this piece – but I think more fundamental reasons are at play here (like hitting intervals properly! :-))
The text of the piece comes from Jesus’ admonition after the Transfiguration, which is the gospel reading for this mass. After witnessing this, Jesus instructs Peter, James, and John:
Visionem quam vidistis, nemini dixeritis, donec a mortuis resurgat Filius hominis.
(The vision you have seen, tell no man, until the Son of Man be risen from the dead.)
This is yet another example of how using the propers amplifies and/or complements the other readings for the day in building a carefully constructed service, vs. going for the non-sequitur of singing some irrelevant hymn at this point in mass.
I have to confess that part of my tardiness in this write-up was due to having to dig deeper (read: look ahead in my textbook!) to get a clearer understanding of the construction.
The difficulty for me, and probably any native English speaker, is the role of the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used hardly at all in English, and its limited usage is slowly being washed away. Why? Well perhaps we as a people aren’t able to grasp subtlety as we once were able. A dangerous development, as Orwell pointed out that eliminating shades of meaning in language is an effective way of controlling thought (newspeak anyone?) but that’s a discussion for another forum.
In general usage, the subjunctive mood suggests possibility or uncertainty, or the as-yet undetermined future. The best English example I can think of is usage of “were”, such as, “He was carrying on as if he were an expert in the field.” Hmm maybe that example hits too close to home here. 🙂
We first see the subjunctive mood with nemini dixeritis. Now, Jesus could have issued a direct order (alicui non dicite!) which our English would translate approximately the same (don’t tell anyone!) . But He is not so harsh; the literal form of the subjunctive exhortation would be something like “Let you have told no man” – see how English struggles to express subjunctive concepts? This seems to me a little more polite, a little more understanding of human nature and the near impossibility of keeping such an experience to themselves “until the son of Man be risen from the dead” – what the heck could that have meant anyway to the three disciples? Who’s the Son of Man!? How is he going to rise from the dead!? Certainly their heads must have been spinning.
The last clause – donec a mortuis resurgat Filius hominis – again sees usage of the subjunctive – hence the odd-sounding translation for us “be risen”. Again, literally, it would be something like “may rise again” – not convincing English!
Once again by examining the Latin text, I was led to think differently about a familiar phrase about which I had never given much thought. When I read “rise again from the dead”, I always thought of “dead” as being something like a state of being. You’re live and you’re alive, you die and then you’re dead. I always had thought of Jesus flipping from one state to the other. But note that the text uses mortuis – the plural form. So instead of the Son of Man “be risen from (being) dead”, what this is really saying is “be risen from (among) the dead ones” – of course the Apostles’ Creed uses the same construct: tertia die resurrexit a mortuis.
Time is running short, so I’ll leave it as an exercise to the reader to cross-reference Filius hominis with the same phrase from the apocalyptic vision in Daniel 7:13-14:I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him. And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.
See You in Shreveport Tomorrow – Saturday, March 19
The Shreveport workshop – previously scheduled for February but postponed due to inclement weather – is taking place today and tomorrow. Janet Gorbitz, Schola Director from Robins AFB and CMAA Secretary, will be presenting on Saturday from 1:00-3:00pm. She will be discussing and singing through the Missal chants, the Simple English Propers, and there will be plenty of PBCs to go around. Try to make it if you are in the Shreveport area.
Psalm Antiphon for Second Sunday of Lent
You will be able to download the complete, updated version at Chabanel Psalms shortly. I’m replacing what I’d had up before. It was just, ugh, too groovy. As time goes on, I realize that for congregations to be able to sing things immediately, after one hearing, they should be simple. Not simplistic or undignified. When a text is relatively long, like this one is, something linear seems to work best.
Here are the verses as well:
Colloquium Preliminary Schedule
Colloquium XXI is taking on the most marvelous shape. Among the composers we’ll be singing at Masses are Josquin, Lotti, Gallus, and Byrd; among the faculty are Horst Buchholz, William Mahrt, Edward Schaefer, Ann Labounsky, Charles Cole, Jonathan Ryan, Wilko Brouwers, MeeAe Nam, and more. Too many to list in this quick post.
Please join us at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in June. In the meantime, here’s a peek at the events slated for the week:
Monday, June 13
2:00pm-5:00pm – check-in
5:00pm-6:00pm – Opening Reception (PCSS)
6:00pm-6:45pm – Dinner and Welcome (PCB; Pasley, Oost-Zinner, Tucker)
6:45pm -7:30pm – Introductory Lecture (PCB); Dr. William Mahrt
8:00pm – Organ Recital (Dr. Paul Weber, Franciscan University; EPI)
9:00pm – Night prayer (EPI)
Tuesday, June 14
8:30am – Morning prayer (CHAP)
8:50am – Breakfast (PCB)
9:30am-11:00am – Chant Rehearsals (Beginning chant for men and women, Oost-Zinner (MP206); Intermediate Men, Morse (TMP); Intermediate Women, Hughes (MP307); Advanced Men, Cole (EPI); Advanced Women, Brouwers (PCB)
11:20am-12:30pm – Breakouts (Choose daily from four options: Anatomy of the Propers, Mahrt (PCB); Vocal Training, Nam (MP206); Semiology, Schaefer (TMP); Conducting Seminar, Buchholz (MP307)
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Lunch
1:40pm- 3:10pm – Polyphony Rehearsals: Nam, (TMP); Buchholz (EPI); Mahrt (MP307), Schaefer (MP206); Brouwers (PCB); Priests and Seminarians attend Priest Training, Pasley (MP?)
3:30pm – Mass (EPI)
5:15-6:30pm – Organ Repertoire and Performance: Cesar Franck ( I; Labounsky; EPI)
6:45pm-8:15pm – Dinner and Plenary Lecture – Monsignor Andrew Wadsworth (PCB)
8:30pm – Night Prayer (PCB)
Wednesday, June 15
8:30am – Morning prayer (CHAP)
8:50am – Breakfast (PCB)
9:30am-11:00am – Chant Rehearsals (Beginning chant for men and women, Oost-Zinner (MP206); Intermediate Men, Morse (TMP); Intermediate Women, Hughes (MP307); Advanced Men, Cole (EPI); Advanced Women, Brouwers (PCB)
11:20am-12:30pm – Breakouts (Choose daily from four options: Anatomy of the Propers, Mahrt (PCB); Vocal Training, Nam (MP206); Semiology, Schaefer (TMP); Conducting Seminar, Buchholz (MP307)
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Lunch
1:40pm- 3:10pm – Polyphony Rehearsals: Nam, (TMP); Buchholz (EPI); Mahrt (MP307), Schaefer (MP206); Brouwers (PCB); Priests and Seminarians attend Priest Training, Pasley (MP?)
3:30pm – Mass (EPI)
5:15-6:30pm – Organ Repertoire and Performance: Cesar Franck ( II; Labounsky; EPI)
6:45-8:30pm – Dinner and Plenary Session: Chants of the New Roman Missal; Wadsworth (PCB)
8:45pm – Night Prayer (PCB)
Thursday, June 16
8:30am – Morning prayer (CHAP)
8:50am – Breakfast and Wake Me Up: Parish Resources For Every Sunday: Tucker (PCB)
9:30-11:00am – Chant Rehearsals (Beginning chant for men and women, Oost-Zinner (MP206); Intermediate Men, Morse (TMP); Intermediate Women, Hughes (MP307); Advanced Men, Cole (EPI); Advanced Women, Brouwers (PCB)
11:20am-12:30pm – Breakouts (Choose daily from four options: Anatomy of the Propers, Mahrt (PCB); Vocal Training, Nam (MP206); Semiology, Schaefer (TMP); Conducting Seminar, Buchholz (MP307)
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Lunch
1:40pm- 3:10pm – Polyphony Rehearsals: Nam, (TMP); Buchholz (EPI); Mahrt (MP307), Schaefer (MP206); Brouwers (PCB); Priests and Seminarians attend Priest Training, Pasley (MP?)
3:30pm – Mass (EPI)
5:15-6:30pm – Organ Repertoire and Performance: Cesar Franck (III; Labounsky; EPI)
6:45-8:30pm – Dinner and Plenary Lecture (Dr. William Mahrt) (PCB)
8:45pm – Night Prayer (PCB)
Friday, June 17
8:30am – Morning prayer (CHAP)
8:50am – Breakfast (PCB)
9:30am-11:00am – Chant Rehearsals (Beginning chant for men and women, Oost-Zinner (MP206); Intermediate Men, Morse (TMP); Intermediate Women, Hughes (MP307); Advanced Men, Cole (EPI); Advanced Women, Brouwers (PCB)
11:20am-12:30pm – Breakouts (Choose daily from four options: Anatomy of the Propers, Mahrt (PCB); Vocal Training, Nam (MP206); Semiology, Schaefer (TMP); Conducting Seminar, Buchholz (MP307)
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Lunch
1:40pm- 3:10pm – Polyphony Rehearsals: Nam, (TMP); Buchholz (EPI); Mahrt (MP307), Schaefer (MP206); Brouwers (PCB); Priests and Seminarians attend Priest Training, Pasley (MP?)
3:30pm – Mass (EPI)
5:15pm-6:15pm – Organ Repertoire and Performance: Cesar Franck (IV; Labounsky; EPI)
6:30pm – 8:00pm – Vespers (EPI)
8:00pm-8:45pm – Dinner (PCB)
8:45pm – Night Prayer (PCB)
Saturday, June 18
8:00am – Morning prayer (CHAP)
8:30am – Buffet Breakfast (Hogan Dining Center, Towers Building; Saturday only)
9:30am-11:00am – Chant Rehearsals (Beginning chant for men and women, Oost-Zinner (MP206); Intermediate Men, Morse (TMP); Intermediate Women, Hughes (MP307); Advanced Men, Cole (EPI); Advanced Women, Brouwers (MP322)
11:30am-1:00pm Mass
1:15pm – 2:15pm Lunch (Hogan Dining Center, Saturday only)
2:30-4:00pm – Polyphony Rehearsals: Nam, (TMP); Buchholz (EPI); Mahrt (MP307), Schaefer (MP206); Brouwers (MP322); Priests and Seminarians attend Priest Training, Pasley (MP?)
4:30pm – 6:30pm Special Session: New Music Reading; Hughes (MP322)
6:30pm – CMAA Member meeting (MP307)
7:00pm – Dinner (Hogan Dining Center, Saturday only)
Free time on the town
Sunday, June 19
8:30am – Morning prayer (CHAP)
9:00am – Continental Breakfast (PCB) or check out of dorms
9:30am – Mass Preparation (EPI)
10:00am – Mass (EPI)
12:00pm-1:30pm Brunch and Closing Remarks (PCB)
Adjourn
Gospel Acclamation at the Last Minute
A lot of people have written to me looking for an alternative to the Gospel Acclamation found in the usual missalettes. Seems they haven’t convinced Father yet that they should be singing the Tract. Here’s an option whose melody is loosely based on the first few notes of this Sunday’s Tract.
I’ll post options for upcoming Lenten Sundays later this week.