The Recovering Choir Director

Chant Lessons @ SMRCC

With the kind permission of Fr. John J. McCartney, pastor of St. Matthew’s Parish in Dix Hills, beginners’ Gregorian chant lessons will be held every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in the Parish Chapel, starting on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

Am I welcome?

Any and all laypeople interested in learning about Gregorian Chant and are willing to take up their responsibility for singing it at Mass are welcome. No prior experience in Gregorian chant is necessary - in fact, such experience may over-qualify you - but the ability to carry a tune will be a big advantage.

Parishioners of St. Matthew’s Parish as well as visitors from other parishes are welcome. Clergy and seminarians are also welcome, but the parts proper to them will only be addressed tangentially if at all.

So if you fit the description above, you are welcome!

When and where will these lessons be held, on what date will they begin, and how long is each lesson?

These lessons will be held every Wednesday evening, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in the Parish Chapel, starting on Wednesday, October 1. Though scheduled for a full hour, most lessons should last no more than 45 minutes, with time to socialize before and after (but not during!)

Lessons will begin promptly at 7:30, so please be prompt (or even a bit early)!

What if I can’t make it on a given night, either occasionally or at all?

There will be an online component to complement the group lessons. Stay tuned to this page for more details.

What is the ultimate goal of this course?

The ultimate goal of this course is to teach five different settings of the Mass that the Church has suggested for use throughout the year. These settings include: Mass I (Easter), Mass VIII (Christmas), Mass XI (Ordinary Time/Post-Pentecost), Mass XVII (Sundays in Advent and Lent). Additionally, selections of the Missa Mundi composite collection of simple Ordinary chants will be taught.

Initial material to be covered will include:

• The tight integration of Gregorian Chant into both Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite Mass;
• The responses of the faithful;
• Gloria Patri in the different psalm tones for the Mass;
• Sprinkling Antiphon Asperges Me;
• Gregorian chant Mass settings for the year; initially we will be focusing on the following selections:
  • Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei XI (Sundays in Ordinary Time/Post Pentecost)
  • Kyrie(s), Sanctus and Agnus Dei XVII (for Sundays in Advent and Lent) with the goal of knowing the setting by Advent 2009
  • Gloria VIII (for Christmas)
  • Credo III

Will I learn how to read Gregorian chant notation with this course?

Not necessarily. While you will be exposed to Gregorian chant notation (a.k.a. square notes), and brief explanations will be made regarding this notation, this course is not designed to foster musical literacy in the chant. Instead, it is intended to quickly get people into the singing of the chant by ear.

In the future, when we have the resources and based on the level of interest, the possibilities for intermediate study in Gregorian chant will be explored.  This will include more theory and learning to sight-sing.

Will printed materials be provided?

Yes! At the outset, the chant resources found in the Adoremus Hymnal will be more than adequate. Many copies of this hymnal are available in the Parish Chapel. Of course, if you already have a volume of chant like the Kyriale, Gregorian Missal, or even Liber Usualis, you are encouraged to bring it to these lessons.

The parish is looking to acquire the CMAA’s breakthrough publication, The Parish Book of Chant. If you are so inclined, you may purchase your own copy at Aquinas and More. (Disclaimer: I make no profit from the sale of this book.)

From when until when are these lessons to be offered?

The lessons in the chapel will be offered during “choir season”, that is, from October to Corpus Christi of the following year. The online component will remain for as long as there is an Internet.

Is there a fee involved?

Absolutely not! These lessons are offered free of charge to both the parish and the faithful. Donations of course are welcome, but absolutely no one should fear being guilt-tripped into making a donation.

Okay, this sounds great. How can I express my interest?

Send an e-mail to me, Aristotle A. Esguerra, and let me know your:

• Name;
• Parish;
• Level of singing experience;
• Available day(s) and time(s) - Wednesday or Thursday evening (between 7 and 9 PM for both days).

Alternatively, you may call me at 516.639.8831.

Tell any friends who may be interested as well and direct them to this page.

Please know that expressing interest isn’t the same as making a commitment. You can change your mind for whatever reason at any time, no hard feelings. But we need to know how much interest is out there to be able to adequately prepare to meet demand.

I already know how to sing and read Gregorian chant, and fluently. What should I do?

You should seriously consider joining the Gregorian schola at St. Matthew’s. We would like to eventually have two different groups; a women’s schola and a men’s schola. Contact me for details.