Latin and chant are back, says the Washington Times.

Dear friends,

Does anyone know of any good resources for nice Spanish music for Mass?

If anyone has ever looked at the "Flor y Canto" he will know how abysmal this publication is.

I would even say that it is worse than the Glory and Praise, because at least the Glory and Praise has a FEW pieces that are worthy of the house of God.

Thanks so much if you can help!

Msgr. Jules Van Nuffel

Kathleen Pluth, the authoress of many new hymns, including "How light the Bread of angels" from her Hymns for the Liturgical Year, has posted a song for this terrible anniversary.

For a pro-life hymn suitable for use in church, there is of course Calvert Shenk's "O Lord, the Giver of all life," number 609 in The Adoremus Hymnal.

Besides Miss Pluth's Web log, readers may be interested in a learned treatment of hymns at another Web log from a Christopher Alexander, simply entitled Hymnody. Mr. Alexander writes from a Protestant viewpoint -- there is not much from the Liber Hymnarius here -- but not only does he treat of some texts by Catholics in translation, it is likely that any Catholic interested in the topic will be familiar with all the repertoire he assumes. In fine, much solid thinking whether original or from others such as Erik Routley.

From colleagues in the Asociacion de Organistas de Mexico comes publicity for the second offering of a certificate program in Sacred Music at St. Dominic Church, Mixcoac, Mexico City.

Following is a partial translation of the poster. Diacriticals have been removed as necessary. The original poster and trifold brochure, as well as further information, may be obtained via diplomadosantodomingo @yahoo [dot] com.mx .

2do. Diplomado en Musica Sagrada
January-March 2006

Aimed at: Religious communities, cantors/organists, lay directors and members of choral groups, and interested members of the public.

Total length: One trimester divided into three month-long modules; at the end of the course, a diploma and proof of participation will be granted.

Curricular outline of the certificate course in Sacred Music:

HISTORY of SACRED MUSIC and LITURGY

Module 1:
From the pre-Christian Orient and Greece to the Middle Ages. / Liturgy I.
Module 2:
Ars Antiqua, Ars Nova, and the Renaissance. / Liturgy II.
Module 3:
Christian Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music. / Liturgy III.

SACRED SONG

Module 1:
Sacred music in light of Church documents.
Module 2:
Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony / Choral groups.
Module 3:
Gregorian and contemporary psalmody / Modern liturgical repertory / Choral direction.

SOLFEGGIO

Module 1, 2, and 3:
Solfeggio, ear-training, and music theory as a fundamental part of musicianship.

ORGAN

Module 1:
Pipe and Hammond organs. / Registration / Pedal.
Module 2:
Organography / Counterpoint and Harmony I. /
Organ Repertoire and Practice I.
Module 3:
Counterpoint and Harmony II. / Harmony at the keyboard /
Organ Repertoire and Practice II / Music by computer

[Eight hours per week available mornings, evenings, or Saturdays. Minimum registration of ten students per section.]

Instructors: Maestro Rodrigo Villasennor-Arroyo, Maestro Ricardo Trillanes-Sanchez
Graduates of the Cardinal Miranda Institute of Liturgy, Music, and Art of the Archdiocese of Mexico City, affiliated with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome. Licentiates in musicology.

Program cost: [approximately US $147: $49 monthly]

Inspired by the CMAA's own glorious annual Colloquium on Sacred Music, the St. Cecilia Schola of Auburn, Alabama, established its own workshop three years ago. Initially it was for the archdiocese but it quickly became national in scope. This year, people are coming from other countries as well. We expect about 100 people, so you can imagine our excitement.

The dates are February 24-25, 2006, in Auburn, Alabama. The guest conductor is Scott Turkington of the Stamford Schola Gregoriana. The workshop begins with polyphony on Friday, and moves to chant for the second day. Attendees will learn all the basics in reading and singing chant, and assist with liturgy on Saturday evening.

The music you can download online. You can also register online. For travel, fly into the Atlanta, Georgia, airport. Our parish is a quick 80 mins South. More details available on the site. We hope to see you!

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston (the Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop) is sponsoring a workshop on Gregorian chant during the weekend of January 27-29, 2006. Led by the Rev. Anthony Ruff, OSB, the workshop will be held in the beautiful setting of PriestField Pastoral Center, one of the four centers for education, formation and spiritual growth in the West Virginia diocese.

The weekend program is an intensive and enjoyable crash course in Gregorian chant, starting with the basics and then learning how to make it work in practice. It is intended for singers of all backgrounds; cantors, choir directors, music teachers, and clergy.

More information and a brochure are available here at CanticaNOVA.

The Gregorian Institute of Canada presents

Introduction to Gregorian Chant

Historical overview; Practical introduction to singing chant

Saturday, January 21, 2006. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist
320 Charlton Avenue at Locke Street
Hamilton, Ontario

Presenters:
William Oates, Director, Gregorian Institute of Canada
Robert Castle, Cantor, St. Mary Magdalene's Church, Toronto
William Renwick, Professor of Music, McMaster University

$20 adults, $10 students
(includes membership in the Gregorian Institute of Canada)

Further information:

www.gregorian.ca 905-628-0328

William Renwick
School of the Arts
McMaster University
Hamilton Ontario CANADA L8S 4M2


At Dr. Renwick's site, readers may be interested in the Music of the Sarum Office project.