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.

Interesting article from V.II. In certain parts of the world, especially mission lands, there are peoples who have their own musical traditions, and these play a great part in their religious and social life. For this reason due importance is to be attached to their music, and a suitable place is to be given to it, not only in forming their attitude toward religion, but also in adapting worship to their native genius....

Of course, don't forget this part too: The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.

And that the Council called for more editions of Chant to be put forth!

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html#_ftnref42

On these grounds Gregorian Chant has always been regarded as the supreme model for sacred music, so that it is fully legitimate to lay down the following rule: the more closely a composition for church approaches in its movement, inspiration and savor the Gregorian form, the more sacred and liturgical it becomes; and the more out of harmony it is with that supreme model, the less worthy it is of the temple.

Pope Pius X, in his 1903 Motu Proprio.

a Marian Celebration

The opportunity to direct the singing for a Marian Mass offered by the Bishop of Lincoln in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. We sang Salve Regina and Ave Maria as Communion meditation--the same as are and have been sung for years at the sites of Lourdes and Fatima and throughout the Church.

for starters

I guess a good thing to start with is the idea of Advent versus Christmas music.

Many people have their Christmas trees up already and are listening to Chrismas music. As exciting as that is, by the time Dec. 25th rolls around, they will be pretty tired of Christmas music and lights.

We should take the beautiful example set by the Church of celebrating and preparing for Christmas through the Advent Season. This year, we begin Advent on Nov.29. We light the first purple candle in the Advent wreath and no longer sing the Gloria (Glory to God) at Sunday Mass. The purple vestments and candle call to mind a more somber time of preparation and waiting for the Birth of the Lord.

We can meditate on the hundreds of years spent waiting for the Messiah by the Jews. We hear in the readings prophecies announcing His coming, and we begin to prepare our hearts in joyful anticipation for Christmas!

In music, besides no longer singing the Gloria, we are to no longer have instrumental music before and after Mass and to cut back on accompaniment as well. At my parish and many others, we take this opportunity to sing the parts of the Mass in a simple chant setting. Father offers Mass "ad orientem" (towards the East--facing the altar) in order to call to mind how it is that we are all waiting for the coming of the Lord--in His birth at Christmas and in the Second Coming.

Let us prepare our hearts in silence and awe.

blogging

It's hard to always remember to update the blog here. Especially as I haven't gotten into the swing of exactly what kinds of things I want to include. Suggestions welcome. :)