Singers should always do their best to convey joy within the chant tradition when it is appropriate to do so—not in the same earth-bound way that contemporary pop music does but in a manner that points to transcendent joy, infused with the mysterious awe that comes from reflection on the final victory over death.

Thus this weekend’s communio: Laetabimur

It begins with rejoicing in long and melismatic phrase. Economy is given up in favor of extended exuberance. The schola joins by picking the phrase and taking it to its highest point in the middle of the word salvation. The name of the Lord follows with two successive affirmations of the Trinity. We end with the phrase on “magnificabimur” in which the last syllable seems to wait and wait until the last possible moment. The “mur” here recalls the initial “mur” in laetabimur.

Joy and pride in our God!

Different chants require subtle changes in tempo but this one should be sung on the faster end of the metronome. We are attempting about 184 beats per minute for the punctum—which is quite fast, faster the adult heart pulses during strenuous exercise but on the upper end of a child’s pulse after play. The same sense is conveyed here in a contained and upward looking way. This is the song of salvation. Learn it for Sunday and you will carry it in your heart all week.

Here is a version you can print and learn, with Psalms.