SCHOLA CANTORUM
CLEVELAND, OHIO
August 4, 2013
Participation in the Mass
with all its original texts- not something else
At Mass we have the freedom to sing all types of music to fully express our love of God. But the entrance and commnnion chants of the Mass have been overlooked for quite some time. The choir and congregation sings these chants at the 9 AM Mass not to be be "old-fashioned" or traditional. We sing these prayers because they are beautiful and inspiring. The Mass will present itself more fully and inspire our prayer if we do not regularly omit these prayers and musical forms. To "fully participate" we need to be sure that we "fully" present the Mass . Our goal is to present the Mass more completely through chant and the proper texts while inspiring a lively and deeper participation. Participate and Join the Choir. call Ralph 216 641 7988 [email protected]
July 21 2013
The Introit
- Jason J. McFarland is the assistant editor at the Secretariat for the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) in Washington, DC. asked these question in his recent book Announcing the Feast:
How does the entrance song of the Mass function within the Roman Rite? What can it express theologically? What should Roman Catholics sing at the beginning of Mass? The best way for this rite to reveal its answers to these questions is to perform it more correctly with the prescribed words and music provided by Holy Mother the Church.
That is why the 9 AM Mass begins each week with entrance chant (introit) instead of a hymn. The words and the type of music for this procession provided by the Church are specific to each day. Often the texts are intimate prayer dialogues between Jesus and God the Father prayed moments before the crucifixion. During the entrance we fix our eyes on the cross as an awesome emblem of victory, and humbly remember that we will now receive the graces from the crucifixion just as if we were there on Calvary. Recall that the celebrant is the physical presence of Christ, moving always closer and closer to us. Just experiencing the procession inspires prayer. We meditate on the text of the entrance rite found in “Today’s Missal,” and sing our parts. These text announces the theme for the Mass, and are the words that Christ is using, right now as he prays within you. Then immersed in prayer, we are ready to receive the merits of the death and resurrection of our Lord. Right from the start we are present to the very act of our salvation. We participate in Christ's presence prayerfully listening , watching and singing with the piety and holiness of chant's gentle texture as all the saints have done.
The action is now deeper and intense so the music will not be a frolicking theatrical overture but will feel more like peaceful prayer.
For years the music for his integral part of the Roman Rite has been casually replaced by something else, such as a favorite hymn with a different text (not that there is anything wrong with it). For most Catholic musicians, this will seem to be completely new, even a revelation. Restoring some of these prayers and their musical forms at the 9 AM Mass each Sunday will make your participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass more fulfilling.
Join the choir. There are no rehearsals during the summer months. Call Ralph at 216-641-7988 [email protected]
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sept 2016
JOIN THE 9AM CHOIR. "I will will proclaim your name in the midst of the assembly" Psalm 22 New singers are welcome to join our choir (schola). Rehearsals begin this Wednesday at 7 pm in the church. . It’s time to give it a try! Our choir specializes in singing the Mass propers. These are s pecial scripture passages assigned to each Mass, and the musical settings use the Gregorian chant style that always presents a holy reverence . These gentle chants have a subtle way of expressing emotions from joy to sorrow, peace and anxiety, all with the piety suited to the house of the Lord and prayer. Singers will find our choir experience an active environment where participation in the liturgy, and friendships can reach a deeper level . For details call Ralph Bednarz 216-641-7988 [email protected] duc in altum! Sept 16 This choir sings all types of music but The Gregorian Chants of the Gradual Romanum are the paradigm for this choir as it forms into a genuine schola. Gregorian Chant adds a glorious dignity to the Holy Mass and it can be sung effectively by even the smallest of choirs. Please join us. It is often thought that the changes since Vatican II have eliminated Gregorian Chant, yet the opposite is more true. Vatican II has stated that that chant has "the primary place" in the liturgy. Explore the chants of the church with us Sept 29
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Sept. 9
“I believe in one God…” The words of the Creed have been changed last year to a more elevated tone. These words have a musical cadence . So shortly, we will sing the Creed at the 9 A.M. Mass. Hear it at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cObxLu4qhog&feature=related The Vatican II documents give the creed a very high priority among the required sung parts of the Mass. The Schola (Choir) sings at the 9 AM Sunday Mass and weekly rehearsals Wednesdays or Thursday evening at 7pm. Enthused singers, whether the experienced or the beginner will find our choir experience a good environment where participation in the liturgy can reach a deeper level. Next week’s music for the 9 am Mass can be found at www.gregorianchant.weebly.com New members should contact [email protected] |
Sept. 30: Within all the changes in liturgy Gregorian chants are always mentioned as holding both
pride and place above all other musical options. Each day and each liturgical action has its own text and melody. I have found it a great relief to know that the Church has selected all the music for the Mass- it is beautiful and it is the largest collection of all musical genres in the world! Chanting is returning to our liturgies! By including even a few chants in each liturgy, parish churches have found new sense of holiness not only through the text, but also in the melody. Many learn to participate profoundly - as the Holy Father stated:- through an "active listening" meditation and singing the psalms. If you are looking for music which has continuity with the past and expresses holiness in both text and melody then you will find chant enriching in the context of liturgy. Our choir sings all types of music but the Gregorian Chants of the Gradual Romanum are the paradigm for this choir as it forms into a genuine schola. The choir will rehearse this Wednesday, at 7 pm. and sings at the The words of the Creed have been changed last year to a more elevated tone. These words have a musical cadence . So shortly, we will sing the Creed at the 9 A.M. Mass. Hear it at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cObxLu4qhog&feature=related or [email protected]. |
SEPT 2 2012 1. Be a light through your singing Music touches the heart and the soul – what better way to shine God’s light to others? 2. Increase your confidence • When you develop your God-give talents, you feel alive! 3. Improve your singing skills • God gave you your voice – why not use it to celebrate and have a blast with others? 4. Make great friends • Our choir is a safe place and a solid community 5. Invite God’s Holy Spirit to be a part of the picture • Who knows what great things can happen when we invite God into the picture? The Schola (Choir) sings at the 9 AM Sunday Mass and weekly rehearsals begin Thursday Sept 6th evening at 7pm. Enthused singers, whether the experienced or the beginner will find our choir experience a good environment where participation in the liturgy can reach a deeper level. Next week’s music for the 9 am Mass can be found at www.gregorianchant.weebly.com New members should contact [email protected] or at 216-641-7988 216-641-7988 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting prior to attending a rehearsal. |
SINGING
PSALMS AND PROPER ANTIPHONS during Mass focus our participation thru the Word of God. One musician, frustrated with the unfulfilling texts of so many church songs wrote this: “Let us insist on texts that draw us to the miraculous act of transubstantiation, rather than the foibles of those around us. Let us sing to God, not glory in each other. Let us restore sacred texts of lofty nature. Let us pray!” (Lucy E. Carroll, D.M.A., from the “Adoremus Bulletin” May 2006). New singers are welcome to join our choir (schola) Sunday morning during the summer when there are no scheduled rehearsals and our and singing at the 9 am Mass is less demanding. Just come upstairs and introduce yourself a few minutes before Mass. It’s time to give it a try! Singers, will find our choir experience an active environment where participation in the liturgy can reach a deeper level scheduled rehearsals will begin in September. |
SINGING
PSALMS AND PROPER ANTIPHONS (during the entrance, offertory, and communion) provides the proper form and content for authentic liturgy. Our choir is eager to sing the assigned texts and pslams for the Holy Mass and invites you to learn the Church's form of sacred music, Gregorian Chant.Membership: During the summer there are no rehearsals but we continue singing at the Sunday 9 am Mass. The music is less challenging now, and more casual; so now might be a good time to just join us without a heavy commitment. Enthused singers, whether the experienced or the beginner will find our choir experience a good environment where participation in the liturgy can reach a deeper level. New members should contact [email protected] 216-641-7988 |