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.

Another Opportunity - Short Fuse

From Kathy, who's at the Salt Lake City Colloquium:

Looks like we need a group for an Extraordinary Form Mass at the Cathedral next week, Wed or Thurs. Will need to rehearse Mon and/or Tues. 

I'll add to this post as I learn more.  Again, this is not an official RPC activity.

UPDATE: We'll be singing for a funeral Thursday, June 27 at 9:30 AM at the Cathedral. If interested/available, contact Kathy. She'll determine a rehearsal time.

Here We Go Again, But In A Good Way

Twenty years ago, the Enigma dance song "Sadeness" (correction: that was 23 years ago) and the Benedictine Monks Chant CD put chant back into the spotlight.

Today, it looks like chant is once again back in pop culture.  The Wall Street Journal features the Benedictines Of Mary, Queen of Apostles nuns, whose chant (and English) CD has topped the Billboard classical charts for five straight weeks.  Oddly enough, it's holding off a classical album based on 50 Shades of Grey. (I'm with you: "Huh?")

Here's the WSJ article: The Nuns At The Top Of The Charts

Summer Brush-Ups

From what I posted last year (but you should have these already):

Pronouncing Latin vowels (for the purpose of chant).

Pronouncing Latin consonants.

Chant notation.

Chant mechanics.

All eight Gloria Patri settings.

A Summer Opportunity

If you'd like to be part of a schola that sings for First Fridays at Holy Spirit Mission in Washoe Valley this summer, please let Kathy know (see her contact information at right). Normally, Fr. Francisco says the First Friday Extraordinary Form High Mass at the Cathedral, but he'll be "on assignment" for much of the summer.

Rehearsals are usually on Friday afternoons and the High Mass is the first Friday evening of each month. Although most members are also part of RPC, this is not an official RPC activity.

The Care And Feeding Of Your Robe

It's been normal practice for RPC members to get their robes cleaned over the summer. You likely have two options for getting out those stains from stepping on the hem (not that I've ever done that!):

Dry clean. This takes the guesswork out of cleaning them, BUT it can cost a lot of money. In fact, one local establishment charged me for my and my wife's robes when I dropped them off . . . and then demanded extra money for me to pick them up! I no longer use the services of that location. Make sure you know exactly what it will cost to have your robe laundered.

Machine wash. Most robes should do OK with Woolite (or equivalent) and the gentle cycle, and then air drying; check the tag if there's one (if there isn't, prepare for a visit by the Tag Police). BUT chances are you'll have to use an iron also. Don't set the iron too hot!

Some members simply reuse a dry cleaning bag to protect their robes. Or you can find a "dress bag" to keep the robe in. Our bag lasted for about 4 years before it got too ripped to use.

Here are some other hints for robe care.