A Sherlock Holmes Motet

We're now singing a different post-Communio motet next Sunday, and we have exactly one rehearsal to make it work. There's quite a backstory, however.

Kathy's husband Bob is a fan of the British series Sherlock Holmes (the 1984-1994 series starring the late Jeremy Brett; not to be confused with the current BBC Sherlock series or the CBS show Elementary). On one of the episodes was a setting of Libera Me that struck a chord (as it were) with both Kathy and Bob. They scanned the credits and found the composer's name was Patrick Gowers, a prolific composer who wrote not only that piece but all the music for the show.

Gowers may be prolific, but Kathy had the hardest time locating the sheet music for Libera Me, and it seemed it would not arrive in time for the All Souls' Day Mass. I'll spare some of the details; Kathy will relate them better anyway. The music finally arrived from the UK on Friday.

Kathy has sent a sound file to at least some members, but asked me not to post it because of copyright issues. In lieu (not Liu) of that, I'll link to this clip from Amazon.

The Friar's Pantry

RPC has now adopted the Friar's Pantry at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral as its outreach charity. We will be collecting items at each rehearsal that will be used to help the needy not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas, but all choir season long. It's not necessary to give a lot, but if everyone (who is able, of course) gives SOMEthing, we can certainly make a difference.

What can the pantry use?

Seasonal items:

• Jackets, coats, blankets, and sleeping bags
• (Thanksgiving) Supper items
• (Christmas) Small gifts and candy for the children

Food:

• Canned goods
• Dry goods (rice, spaghetti, pasta, beans, popcorn)
• Peanut butter and other high protein items
• Condiments
• Flour, sugar, pancake mix, dry or canned milk
• Cereal
• Coffee, tea, hot chocolate

Personal hygiene:

• Soap
• Shampoo, conditioner
• Toothpaste, toothbrushes
• Deodorant
• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Razors
• Tampons, pads
• Diapers, wipes

Kathy asks that you not give her cash; she can direct you to the pantry contact who will accept it. May God repay you many times over for your generosity.

Rehearsal Reminder

We will not be in the chapel this week, so enter by the left-most front door and turn left down the classroom hallway. That goes for the pre-rehearsal chant class also. Do not use the door from the outside to the classroom; it's an emergency exit only.

Nov. 2: All Souls Day

4 PM at the Cathedral. (Cartoon by Paul Nichols)

Procession: Miserere (Rossini) We won't be singing it; a processional isn't part of a Novus Ordo Mass

Introit: Requiem aeternam

Kyrie

Sequence: Dies irae

Alleluia and verse (Requiem)

Credo III

Offertory: Domine Jesu Christe
Inimici Autem (De Lasso; seems to be a decent version)

Sanctus

Agnus Dei

Communio: Lux aeterna
Libera Me (Witt Gowers; clip only; Kathy sent around a sound file)

In Paradisum

Recessional: De Profundis (Witt)

17 (And Counting) Ways To End Up In Kathy's Doghouse

(An update to this post)

Kathy, our director, is a kind, patient, and classy soul, but even she has her limits.  If you really want to get under her skin, here's how. This list will likely grow in saecula saeculorum.

1. Don't show up for rehearsal or Mass without telling her.
2. Don't review the music between rehearsals or before coming to Mass.
3. Tell her she never gave you that piece of music . . . when she did.
4. Tell her you can't show up for rehearsal or Mass just beforehand when you knew days or even weeks ago you wouldn't be there.
5. Show up late for rehearsal or Mass with no good reason.
6. Leave early with no good reason.
7. Come to Mass without your music in order.
8. Flip, flip, and flip some more through your music because it's not in order, especially when everyone else is ready to sing.
9. Decide her beat is insufficient and maintain your own timing--or no timing at all.
10. Keep your nose firmly inside your music at all times, ignoring her direction.
11. Anticipate the "s" at the end or beginning of a phrase.
12. Use the American "r", such as in "Glorrrrrrrria".
13. Use the Fonzie-esque "ayyyy", such as in "Dayyyyy-ee" (Dei).
14. Get louder on the upper note of a podatus.
15. Get louder (and likely sharper) because you think everyone else is going flat and you're trying to "pull them up."
16. Double the note on a punctum with a horizontal episema, a salicus, or a quilisma.
17. Take breaths at every quarter bar, and only at every quarter bar, unless otherwise directed.

Add your own in the comments.

Condolences

We at RPC extend our condolences to our alto Kat, as well as the family of the close friend she recently lost.

Quick Reminders

1. If you show up this Sunday, you'll have the choir loft at the Cathedral all to yourself...if it's unlocked. The St. Francis High Mass is this SATURDAY afternoon. At least one member said, "See you Sunday!" on the way out of rehearsal Tuesday night.

2. Call time is 4 PM in Righini Hall beneath the Cathedral.