Lent V (B • 2024)
Below are the practice resources for Lent V.
Again, I apologize for not being able to hold rehearsal this past Wednesday, but I was simply too ill. I have no doubt that you all are as eager to rehearse holy week as I am. Mercifully, I’m back up and running, and we will just have to do what we can do! God asks no more of us.
This week will indeed feel a little bit odd since we didn’t rehearse at all, so I would like to make some minor modifications. For instance, this week, I would like the psalm verses to simply be cantored, and the choir will join in unison with the people on the refrain. We will forego attempting any motet or anything of that sort.
Our hymnody is worth mentioning, since it is rather interesting: the processional hymn is the same melody as we learned two weeks ago (Llanglofan). (I’m sure you all kept the sheet that said “Keep for Lent V” and don’t need another! 🙃) This tune will be a regular fixture in rotation throughout the year. (If you haven’t noticed, there are many hymn tunes that I love, and you will learn many of them this year!).
The offertory hymn is a classic lenten favorite, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, to the tune you all know. I have parts printed in case you know them and would like to sing them. We will take it nice and slowly and just savor it.
Communion is where things take a particularly interesting turn, with a melody that I rather imagine you have heard before, if not necessarily sung. We are singing a delightful baroque text Yonder, Amazing Sight I See! which describes the Passion, but paired to Ralph Vaughan William’s famous tune, The Truth From Above which is often heard during Advent. Here again, ever the fan of unusual pairings, this is a melody that I would like the congregation to learn well, because it is fabulously beautiful and pensive, especially once we get the chance to really dig into the harmonies. Because this is new, and a bit atypical as far as hymns go, I’ve made a full, 5 verse melody-only recording, and only ask that you sing melody with the congregation.
Finally, our recessional hymn is one that is probably unknown to you, but sounds oh-so-familiar because it has elements that are very similar to other well-known tunes. It is an ear worm and easy to sing, and there is an organ-only demo of that below as well.
As for Holy Week, we will just do what we can do. I’m going to post as much as I can so you can look ahead as much as you can. Dig deep! This is for Jesus. There may be a little flying by the seat of our pants and some things we only get to do a quick run through or two, but such is the nature of the beast at this stage. You all know the drill.
Worth particular mention is the Chrism Mass; I realize that because it is at 2pm on a Tuesday, some of you may not be able to make it. I obviously hope that many of you can make it, but I completely understand if you cannot. If you ARE coming, please visit the special webpage I have set up for that to view all the resources. You do not have to fill out the form, but at least text me to let me know if you’ll be there. Also, please consider emailing that link to your friends. I emailed over 40 parishes in the diocese last week to invite singers to participate, but many parishes did not have contact information for their music ministers (if they even have music directors, alas), and I’m sensing that there are people who still haven’t received the message. This might also be an excellent opportunity for some of the former choir members to join us for a one-off event even if they cannot commit full-time at present—and we all know an invite from a friend is the strongest chance we have of getting them.
Tenebræ will largely follow the model established by Dr. Fielding in years past, minus the motes which we are currently unable to sing. Mr. Davis will join us to sing the Lamentations of Jeremiah once again, and we (the choir) will carry the bulk of the psalm chanting for the rest of it. I plan for more of a revamp of that service next year. In the meantime, I would really love it if we could dig deep and learn the Lotti Miserere. We attempted it at rehearsal last week, but it still needs a lot of work. If we could pull it off via some home practicing, then we could use it at Tenebræ and also on Good Friday.
I will have dedicated web pages for each of the Holy Week services posted as soon as possible so it is easier to keep track of all of these things.
Now, without further ado:
(Source: Source & Summit)
(Source: Source & Summit)
This is a fun example of how medieval chant can be repurposed 1:1 for the modern Mass!
Looking Ahead
:
Looking Ahead :
Here are some things to look at that we will begin digesting at our next rehearsal. We are going to have A LOT of music to learn!
First up: Holy Thursday Foot Washing Antiphons (Playlist)
Lent IV (B • 2024)
Greetings all—
Here’s our (admittedly minimal) set of practice resources for this week. I’m not posting the communion antiphon since that’s the same tone as we have been using for a few weeks. Similarly, you can scroll back to previous posts if you need mass parts or the gospel acclamation.
Individual voice parts are soloed in this video; click on the hyperlinks in the video description to skip ahead to your part.
Hymns:
Entrance: Ellacombe
Offertory: Lobe Den Herren
Recssional: Jesu Dulcis Memoria
Chrism Mass • St. Augustine Cathedral (2024)
Greetings all—
If you are on this page, then you are interested in (or committed to) singing at the 2024 Chrism Mass at St. Augustine’s Cathedral, Kalamazoo. Thank you, and welcome!
Please Note: The Chrism Mass will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, March 26th.
This is admittedly an atypical time, and this may prevent some people from being able to attend. (If this is the case for you, please let me know so that we learn if this time has a significant impact on the community.)
If you would like to join the diocesan choir for this event, please fill out the following form to let me know you are coming.
Practice tracks are available below the form to help you prepare from home.
Attire will simply be “Sunday best”.
We will have a rehearsal earlier at 11am that day, break for lunch, and then return to sing for Mass.
If you have any questions for me, please send me an email.
I look forward to singing with you all!
Processional Hymn:
Church of God, Elect and Glorious
Sung to the tune of “Abbots Leigh”. Here is a demo of that tune:
The Entrance Antiphon will be sung after the processional hymn.
Gloria: Missa Simplex by Proulx
Psalm: 89(88) “Forever I will Sing…”
Please Note: the demo edition here features different verse text from that which is sung at the Chrism Mass, however the music is the same. (Click here to see the version with correct verse text.)
Gospel Acclamation:
“Glory and praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Please learn your harmony for the refrain. The verse text chanted by the choir is different from that which is featured in the video, however the melody is the same.
You may use the MP3’s embedded below, or click on the following hyperlinks to be taken to a practice track video on YouTube for your particular voice part:
Chant during the Procession of the Oils:
O Redeemer, Hear This Anthem
If you are new to chanting, do not fear! We will be singing in English, and I will support you with a gentle organ accompaniment. Do listen to this a few different times to really get a feel for the flow of the chant. In particular, note the groupings of twos and threes.
We will sing this in two verse couplets, pausing after every second verse so that each holy oil can be announce and presented to the bishop.
Offertory Motet:
Anima Christi • Dominican Liturgical Center
(Score)
Here is the official recording of this work. Please note that the edition we will sing has a few minor modifications.
Ordinary:
Please Note: The first “Sanctus” and “Agnus Dei” will be intoned by the cantor alone, with all joining in after the asterisk (just like in the recordings). This is known as an “incipit” and is a exceedingly ancient practice.
Communion Antiphon
Verses will be chanted antiphonally between men and women. You sing each reciting tone and only apply the formula once the font changes.
There are additional verses, not shown in this preview image.
Communion Motet: If Ye Love Me • Tallis
You can find individual voice practice tracks below. (Score)
Communion Hymn:
I Dwell a Captive of This Heart
To the tune of Thomas Tallis’s “Third Mode Melody”. (Score) Here is a lovely rendition of this famous tune, however we will be singing a different text from that which is featured in the recording.
And here is an organ-only version of Mr. Richardson playing so you can get a feel for exactly what our flow will be. Note the difference between the phrases that end on three beats, verses those that only have two and a lift (tick mark).
Saint Michæl the Archangel Prayer
I hope that you will come to love this one just as much as we do! Here’s a thrilling way to sing the St. Michæl prayer that is sure to bring a smile to your face as it does to ours. (Score)
The key to singing this prayer is to use natural, speech rhythm. Please listen to the recordings once or twice over to really get a feel for the flow, since not every rhythm is notated.
You may use the MP3’s embedded below, or click on the following hyperlinks to be taken to a practice track video on YouTube for your particular voice part. (Sopranos, I did my best!)
Recessional Hymn:
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim!
Sung to the tune of “Laudate Dominum” by Parry. Here is a demo of that tune:
Lent III (B • 2024)
Here are practice resources for Lent III.
For anyone who was not at rehearsal: If you do not feel ready to sing a particular selection on Sunday morning, it is OK to sit that one out and just sing the rest. I’d much rather have you come and contribute what you can, than feel uncomfortable coming up at all.
(Source: Source & Summit)
NB: There is only an offertory antiphon this week, no hymn.
(Source: Source & Summit)
It is also worth noting that due to the, ahem, funny little issue with wording in one of the final verses of the offertory antiphon, I have made a slight adjustment and I would like you to chant the offertory antiphon from the worship aid. This will completely circumvent that issue.
Here are a few links to learn the melodies of our hymns:
Communion Hymn Tune (demo is in Latin, but we will sing the verses in English)
Recessional Hymn Tune (same melody, different text)
Looking Ahead
:
Looking Ahead :
Here are some things to look at that we will begin digesting at our next rehearsal. We are going to have A LOT of music to learn!
First up: Holy Thursday Foot Washing Antiphons (Playlist)
Lent II (B • 2024)
Here are practice resources for Lent II.
For anyone who was not at rehearsal: our communion motet is “Jesu, Salvator Mundi” which we learned on Wednesday. Do be sure to focus on that and the psalm. If you do not feel ready to sing it by Sunday morning, it is OK to sit that one out.
(Source: Source & Summit)
(Source: Source & Summit)
Looking Ahead
:
Looking Ahead :
Here are some things to look at that we will begin digesting at our next rehearsal. We are going to have A LOT of music to learn!
First up: Holy Thursday Foot Washing Antiphons (Playlist)
Lent I (B • 2024)
Here is our ordo for Lent I (also in the preview window below).
Please see the Ash Wednesday list for comprehensive practice tracks of the Lenten Gospel Acclamation.
Our Processional Hymn is the same melody as Ash Wednesday’s Offertory hymn tune: Passion Chorale (aka- O Sacred Head).
Here are some SATB tracks of this hymn put together by CCWatershed: O Sacred Head Surrounded
Our Communion Hymn is God of Mercy and Compassion to a tune adapted by Pergolesi. Don’t forget we will do the second line of the fourth (last) verse a cappella before the final refrain.
Our Recessional Hymn is Forty Days and Forty Nights to the tune HEINLEIN.
(Source: Source & Summit)
(Source: Source & Summit)
Looking Ahead
:
Looking Ahead :
Here are some things to look at that we will begin digesting at our next rehearsal. We are going to have A LOT of music to learn!
First up: Holy Thursday Foot Washing Antiphons (Playlist)