Thesis completion

Also, a news bulletin:

I have completed my senior thesis. My thesis title is: "A Blessing in Disguise: Stepping Back to Make Informed Decisions in the Performance of Gregorian Chant." It is a look at chant in the past 100 years or so.

Here is the abstract:
By studying the history and current practices of Gregorian chant, modern church musicians like myself can reach an informed decision regarding the choices facing them as Schola directors in the use of Gregorian chant. I begin by focusing on the movement of the monks of Solesmes at the turn of the 20th century because Solesmes spread a unified and more accessible practice of chant to Church musicians and Scholas. The Motu Proprio of Pope Pius X gave the Solesmes’ method a boost that spread the practice of Solesmes style chant around the world and gave commands for the cultivation of further editions of chant. Examples of the widespread use and development of chant according to Solesmes’ method are the work of Justine Ward and Mary Berry. Practice of chant fell drastically after the Second Vatican Council changed the order of the Catholic Mass, and Mary Berry’s own practice was shaken by the changes, but she used the time as an opportunity to do further research into Medieval chant practices. Selecting a few examples of scholars and practicing church musicians in the debates regarding interpretation of chant I find aids for the church musician like myself interested in selecting a suitable method of practicing chant.

Lenten Music

This year, while appreciating my files of music selections from years past when it comes to picking out hymns every Sunday, I have also begun using English Propers at Communion. The choir or myself sing the Propers from the Sacred Music Project. They're beautiful little melodies written in chant notation and a great way to begin introducing Propers to the congregation. We sing it and then sing a Communion hymn. It's especially beautiful for the choir to learn the way in which music is a part of the Mass as we sing something that goes perfectly with the readings and Gospel of the day--just as the Church intends.