The September Workshops

From Kathy.  Remember, these are open to the public.

I wanted to make you aware of a series of chant classes coming up the four Saturdays of September at the Cathedral from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM.  The classes will consist of a lecture portion (approximately 45 minutes) on the Theology of Worship and Its Music which will be presented by Deacon Joe Bell from the Cathedral, Father Francisco Nahoe, OFM, Conv., and Professor William Mahrt (pictured), President of the Church Music Association of America and one of the world’s leading authorities on Gregorian chant.  There will be an opportunity for questions following the talks.  I will be teaching the “how to do it” portion of the class, which will deal with reading the notation and lots more.

Seating is limited for this class series.  Although the requested donation is $25 total for all four classes, Regina Pacis members may attend for no charge.

Please let me know by August 10 if you want to reserve a place for this series so that I have time to prepare needed materials.  I only need to hear from you if you are going to attend.  [See Kathy's contact information on the right.]

Putting Our Hearts Into It

If a Swedish study can be believed, the pulses of choir members speed up and slow down at the same rate as they sing in unison, such as when we sing chant.

Read about it for yourself at the Beeb: Choir singers 'synchronise their heartbeats'

HT: Chris Beasley, RPC-er In Exilio

Prayers Please

From Phyllis Young:

Please keep my son Jim, who is in Cairo, Egypt, and all of his students in your thoughts and prayers.

UPDATE: Phyllis reports he and the students returned safely to the U.S.  Thanks for your prayers!

Rehearsing and Not Rehearsing

The unaffiliated scholas that have sung recently haven't gotten much rehearsal time, but have still managed to sound good.  As Kathy likes to say, "The Lord takes care of fools and musicians!"

Maybe we can take a cue from the Marx Brothers about the importance of rehearsing.

An Interesting Perspective On Chant

On Chant Cafe, Adam Wood likes chant for all the wrong reasons, such as:

People say that we shouldn't sing chant because people need familiar music at Mass.
And too many chant-supporters agree that chant is unfamiliar, but say this is a good thing, that people don't need Mass to be "comfortable."
I disagree.
I think that the constant changing of musical styles to fit the trends is a constant source of unfamiliarity and discomfort, and that a stable repertoire of chants would provide the comfort and familiarity that all people long for.