The all-powerful director of music

Jeffrey Tucker over at NLM posted a typical scenario of the liturgical tyranny imposed by lay directors of music at most Novus Ordo parishes today. Here's a snapshot of a conversation between a man planning for his wedding music and the parish music director.

The naive young man clarified with some firmness: "We really do want a traditional Catholic wedding, so we really want traditional Catholic music." He didn't have anything specific in mind. Indeed, what the young man called "traditional Catholic" is just a code for something meaningful and important, something holy and transcendent, something momentous and prayerful, something right and true and integral to our heritage -- something other than what this woman is capable of providing. The voice of the director of music firmed up to the point of scolding: "Well, we must keep in mind that the people of God have very diverse tastes, so we must use music that appeals to everyone, not just those who agree with you."

Oh yeah! Diversity! Appeals to everyone except to Him and the ones who truly matters. The typical buzzwords. I'd say this is a call to arms to get rid of such 1970s backwardness for the common good. OK, the Clown Mess picture below is not the music director's ideas...but we all know how circus-like the Church has been turned into, and music played a major role.

Renaissance polyphony

Enjoy some beautiful Renaissance pieces especially those sung by the Tallis Scholars.

Nunc Dimittis by G.P. Palestrina sung by the Tallis Scholars.

Vigilate by William Byrd sung by the Tallis Scholars.

If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis sung by the New Chamber Orchestra Choir.

Fifth Sunday after Easter

For May 13, 2007 which is the Fifth Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
   
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Vocem iucunditatis
   
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
   
6. Alleluia: Surrexit Christus et illuxit
   
7. Alleluia: Exivi a Patre
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Benedicite, gentes
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maria (J. Arcadelt)
    
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
    
13. Communion hymn: Ave Verum Corpus
    
14. Communion: Cantate Domino
    
15. Recession: At The Lamb's High Feast (AH#411)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Marian motets

With May coming soon, most choirs would be selecting mainly Marian motets for their practice. Sacred Heart Choir wouldn't be any different, as the next Sunday Mass will be on May 13, which is also dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. Several versions of Ave Maria comes to mind once I looked at CPDL. However we are constrained to short pieces (scores not more than 2 pages) and no more than 4 voices, given the size of the congregation and the small number of singers that we have. If you have other suitable suggestions, do drop me a note or leave a comment.

In the meantime, here are several clips of Chanticleer (one of my favourite groups), singing Franz Biebl's Ave Maria as well as another unknown track. I posted a similar clip by another group here, and I have to admit, Biebl's Ave Maria never fails to give me goosebumps whenever I hear it sung. Beautiful!

Second Sunday after Easter

For April 22, 2007 which is the Second Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Rejoice, O Mary, Heavenly Queen
   
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Misericordia Domini
   
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
   
6. Alleluia: Cognoverunt discipuli
   
7. Alleluia: Ego sum pastor bonus
   
8. Credo III
   
9. Offertory: Deus, Deus meus
   
10. Offertory hymn: O Sanctissima
    
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
    
13. Communion hymn: Adoro te devote
    
14. Communion: Ego sum pastor bonus
    
15. Recession: New Praises Be Given
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Canticle after 4th Reading of Paschal Vigil

Another clip of the choir, this time singing the canticle "Attende caelum" which is after the 4th reading on Paschal Vigil 2007.

Ladies, You're Wanted!

OK, just kidding about the dancing part, but no harm for the good-looking part right? :) We need female voices for the soprano and/or alto parts in singing sacred polyphony. Those of you who love singing (judging by the annual turnout for Idol auditions, who doesn't love singing?), now's a great opportunity to do your part in creating beautiful music for the Lord! Please see the membership post for more details. As another incentive, have a look at the picture below:

Victimae Paschali Laudes

As we are still in Paschaltide, here's another great Youtube clip featuring a slightly different version of Victimae Paschali Laudes, the sequence sung during the entire Paschal octave. The melody still follows the Gregorian chant version, but with some polyphony added in.

Regina Caeli, Jubila

This was taken during the Paschal Vigil Liturgy on 7th April 2007.

Salve Festa Dies excerpt from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary

Here's a short clip of the Paschal favourite "Salve Festa Dies" sung by the seminarians of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Winona. Sacred Heart Choir wishes every reader and wellwisher a blessed and joyous Pascha!