Monthly Archives: September 2009

Gregorian Chant in Worship

When most people think of Gregorian chant they likely think of Roman Catholics or cloistered monks (with their cowl) chanting in a dimly lit church.  This past Monday on Issues, Etc. Dr. Ben Mayes provided an interesting discussion on the history of Gregorian chant and its relevance to today’s Reformation Christians as part of our Lutheran heritage.  I’ve embedded the audio for your listening ease.

If you take only one thing away from the discussion, I think this should be it:

Gregorian chant lets the text of scripture and its quiet power shine through without forcing an emotion on it. (paraphrased from my listening notes)

A few years back I acquired a long out-of-print volume of Introits for the one-year lectionary set to Gregorian chant tones (edited by Walter Buszin and published by CPH in 1942).  Buszin provided these reasons for the use of Gregorian chant (referring specifically to the Introits, but logically extrapolating to chant in general):

  1. They are truly liturgical in character.
  2. They are simple and may be sung by any type of church choir and be transposed to other keys.
  3. They are churchly, giving prominence to the text and relegating the music to the background.
  4. They are undramatic and objective and yet possess great beauty.
  5. They have stood the test of time and have become a part of the Lutheran heritage.

Whether you choose to explore Gregorian chant further, it does make you think how music affects and has the potential to overpower the text.

More info about Gregorian chant from a Lutheran perspective can be found at the Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood website.  Dr. Mayes also edited the Brotherhood Prayer Book.

Handbells Ringing Again

When September comes around, there seems to be a “Back to . . . ” frenzy.  In the church that often means Back to Sunday School, Back to Choir, and Back to Handbells.  This past Monday, the handbell group I ring with started our Fall season — we were fewer in number (only 6), but one more will be arriving next week.

Even with a smaller group we had a blast at practice (it’s as much a social gathering as it is a music group).  To ease back into ringing we sight read a number of 12 bell pieces and are planning to play a setting of Hyfrydol for Sept 20, which also happens to be the tune for the Hymn of the Day (LSB 851).  By the end of practice, the piece sounded great.

And what is the moral of the story?  For handbells, at least, you don’t need a dozen ringers and 3+ octaves of handbells to make music.  Even 6 or 7 ringers with 2 octaves of bells can make some joyful noise.  The early beginnings of my group was 6 ringers, 2 octaves of bells, and lots of 12 bell music (all in the key of C!).

Going through the handbell music this weekend, reminded me of the following piece I composed a few years ago for the 7th Sunday after Easter on the Hymn of the Day — Christ is the World’s Redeemer – 16 bells +/- for 2 octaves.  Unfortunately, there is not a dearth of music for the tune Moville — Kenneth Kosche’s organ setting in Musica Sacra (CPH) and John Ferguson’s choral setting (GIA).

Take a listen and enjoy!

Good Shepherd Institute

This past week I discovered that the Good Shepherd Institute has released the latest edition of His Voice, a newsletter of GSI that has a number of recommended resources for pastors, laity, and musicians.  I’d encourage you to download and scan through it (only 9 pages).

Of particular note are 3 pages devoted to the published resources of GSI, most of which are part of my own library.  These resources have been formative and valuable in my growth and continuing education as a parish musician.  I return again and again to the timeless essays of Walter Buszin.  The journals provide opportunities for personal study in worship, hymnody, and liturgy.  The Singing the Faith DVD is the closest thing you’ll get to a confessional Lutheran music video.  My favorite video selections are Lord, Let at Last Thine Angels Come with the mural and Wide Open Stand the Gates from a hymn festival.

It has been a blessing to be part of the continuing “conversation”, if only through the words of the essays, journals, and DVD.  So, I say thank you to Kantor Resch and Dr. Just for their vision and making these resources available for the church at large, and in particular pastors and parish musicians.