Posts

Posted on by Kathleen Pluth

Introits and Anthems for Voices and Bells

I regularly receive emails asking whether when my Hymn Tune Introits will be published as a whole. If you need something for your local situation, just ask (email through my link on the sidebar). In the meantime a few innovative settings have been published. Here are Chuck Giffen’s Anglican-chant inspired settings for Advent.

Clark Kimberling has recently published a three-volume set of Introits and Anthems for Voices and Bells with GIA, and in the first volume several of my HT Introit texts have been set.


Thank you to all who have shown interest in the Hymn Tune Propers project, one of the many attempts to bring more of our Catholic congregations in touch with the Propers of the Mass–important texts which are all too often overlooked.

Posted on by Jeffrey Tucker

A Case for Gospel Music

Chant advocates can go too far with their pushing of chant to the exclusion of all other forms of sacred music. I’ve probably been guilty of this in the past. This is why I really appreciate Msgr Charles Pope’s argument for the inclusion of Gospel music in Mass — not in every parish but under specific conditions that call for it. I think his argument is entirely consistent with Church teaching and good praxis.

See what you think.

Posted on by Kathleen Pluth

They Turn Their Eyes to Mary

 

But while in the most holy Virgin the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she is without spot or wrinkle, the followers of Christ still strive to increase in holiness by conquering sin. And so they turn their eyes to Mary who shines forth to the whole community of the elect as the model of virtues. Piously meditating on her and contemplating her in the light of the Word made man, the Church with reverence enters more intimately into the great mystery of the Incarnation and becomes more and more like her Spouse. For Mary, who since her entry into salvation history unites in herself and re-echoes the greatest teachings of the faith as she is proclaimed and venerated, calls the faithful to her Son and His sacrifice and to the love of the Father. Seeking after the glory of Christ, the Church becomes more like her exalted Type, and continually progresses in faith, hope and charity, seeking and doing the will of God in all things. Hence the Church, in her apostolic work also, justly looks to her, who, conceived of the Holy Spirit, brought forth Christ, who was born of the Virgin that through the Church He may be born and may increase in the hearts of the faithful also. The Virgin in her own life lived an example of that maternal love, by which it behooves that all should be animated who cooperate in the apostolic mission of the Church for the regeneration of men (Lumen Gentium 65).

Posted on by Kathleen Pluth

The Veni, Veni Emmanuel You’ve Been Searching For

Our choir director at the Angelicum always manages to find music that is within our reach, but challenging enough to be interesting–and at the same time beautiful.

Like a lot of volunteer choirs we usually sing in three voices.

Christoph Dalitz, a composer I hadn’t heard of before, posts here on the Choral Public Domain Library (CPDL). If you’re still looking for an accessible, beautiful choral version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel for this swiftly-passing Advent season, take a look.

 
Posted on by Arlene Oost-Zinner

Registration Deadline for Winter Chant Intensive

The registration deadline for this year’s Winter Chant Intensive is Friday, December 20th. This year’s program in Surprise, AZ, neatly packed into two days (January 3 and 4, 2014), offers you the unique opportunity to focus on chant conducting or take an in depth look at the history and structure of the modes…the foundational structure around which the chant is shaped. Register now.