Society of Saint Gregory

St Barnabas is, I think, only one of 3 who weren't part of the 'twelve' to whom the Church accords the title 'Apostle' . The others are Paul and Matthias - someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I guess it was a feast once upon a time - a quick 'Google' suggests there were celebrations in medieval ...

Angela,

How difficult are they? French 20th Century Organ Music that is easy to play and sounds good on a limited extension organ (I play a Walker - with a Swell) sounds too good to be true! Sounds as if this might go on my Christmas list.

Thank you for that Presbyter. I always think asking saints to intercede is like asking a favour from someone. If you know someone else who'll champion your cause you will ask them to help. Many of us get asked to pray for people - it happened to me out of the blue on Saturday. It's not as if God is ...

The 1989 words edition of HONR has 4 verses for 'Give Me Joy In My Heart' whereas the Organ edition only has 3 verses; it was several years till anyone told me! "A New Commandment" leaves the congregation wondering what to 'Repeat'. Organ edition of Soul of My Saviour's first line is "...

Sorry for the earlier error on the date - took leave of my brain there. It does emphasise the point though that most of the Church's members will not be aware of that day, or any other saints' days for that matter.

As things have been quiet in the past few days... I was at Doddington in Kent recently (the gardens are well worth a visit, especially in rhododendron season). The medieval church there is dedicated to the Beheading of St John the Baptist and that set me thinking: should we still have more than one ...

Some suggestions for July. It's odd that there are only two Catholic composers (I exclude S. Wesley as he was not a Catholic for long) in these suggestions. Perhaps we need more Catholic organ composers of easy music? The 19th & 20th French school of Catholic organists, whilst having produced in...

Some random thoughts on a thought provoking string: New music - what style or styles should this be in? What part should education play in the liturgy? Should anyone try to do a 'Messian' ever again? The only 2 things I've tinkered with were very simple solutions to a need in my own parish. It's OK ...

There's some excellent teaching on the Sign of Peace in Paragraphs 202 to 204 of "Celebrating the Mass". Our hierarchy clearly expect it to be done; they suggest a hand grasp rather than a hand shake; they describe it as a challenge. It's well worth reading the whole text which develops ma...

It's worth remembering that Liturgy and Music are not actually the main thrust of what the church is there for. Good liturgy assists worship and can help attract people into the Church. However anyone who is principally looking for a spiritual 'fix' will not be happy.

Edelweiss - there was a Communion hymn set to this in the 60's or 70's - cringe-making words.
I avoid any Funeral march at Communion.
Danny Boy - sorry!

In the summer, you might want to keep practice to a minimum, but still try to play a variety of pieces. Here's what I'll be playing for Sundays 11, 12, 13 and SS Peter and Paul (replaces 14) this year. Much of it is from the excellent OUP Old English Organ Music Series. Enjoy! Sunday 11 CH Trevor: O...

Hello Adrain, My 3 main things would be: 1) Inspire them by your enthusiasm and personality. There is research around that suggests that the main reason children have music lessons is because they get on well with the teacher. That doesn't just apply to children! If you are are grumpy old man like m...

Docmattc, here are the clarifications you asked for: 1) I was talking both about Hymns vs Proper Antiphons and Hymns vs the Sung Ordinary. In the main Parish Sunday Mass, there is a strong argument for singing at least some of the Ordinary if there are to be Hymns. If the Proper Antiphons are to be ...

Musicus, Looks like a new thread developing here - I agree with Organist that this is a vital topic: Do single sex childrens choirs have a role in our churches and cathedrals? Do trebles sound the same as sopranos and altos the same as contraltos? If we have girl altar servers, is it right to reserv...