Jubilate Deo by Orlando di Lasso, added to the sidebar, and, we hope, added to our repertoire.

Here is a play list for Sunday, which introduces the “Our Father” in English set to the conventional Latin melody, which will provide a solid transition to the Latin during Lent. We also sing Sicut Cervus and Agnus Dei II (Missa Brevis) by Palestrina, and Rachmaninoff’s Ave Maria.

The Art of Gregorian Music, online at MusicaSacra

Here is our solution to the Psalm Problem

Anticipation is growing for the 4th Annual Sacred Music Workshop, coming up on February 16th and 17th, 2007.

Join members of the St. Cecilia Schola, guest conductor Scott Turkington, and other enthusiastic parish musicians from around the country for two days of musical bliss and liturgical renewal. Explore great polyphonic works by Palestrina, Victoria and Lassus, learn to read medieval notation, and be part of the workshop schola as it sings the Gregorian propers for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary time at the Vigil Mass on Saturday, February 17th. Register here.

N.b. Scholarship help is still available, but going quickly. Write to us and apply.

Here is our program for the Epiphany, which includes two propers and three pieces of polyphony (two by Palestrina and one by Josquin). Very pleased with the progress we are making!

Our new piece of polyphony for Epiphany: Verbum Caro, by G. Palestrina.

We hope you won’t notice too much difference in the layout, but CeciliaSchola has moved to a new system for content management that we hope will create a more uniform look and feel. All old links still work (including archives). But one step is required for you: update your RSS feed (if you use one) by clicking on the orange feed image in your browser’s address bar.

One of the many beautifully charming strophic chant hymns printed in the Liber Cantualis is Puer Natus in Bethlehem. Based on the text that begins the Christmas Day introit, this hymn tells the Nativity story in 14 full verses. The mp3 below records the Schola singing the first five. As you will hear, it is vigorous and exciting and suited for congregational participation.

1. Puer natus in Bethlehem, alleluia: Unde gaudet Jerusalem, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain: In cordis jubilo, Christum natum adoremus Cum novo cantico.

2. Assumpsit carnem Filius, alleluia, Dei Patris altissimus, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

3. Per Gabrielem nuntium, alleluia, Virgo concepit Filium, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

4. Tamquam sponsus de thalamo, alleluia, Processit Matris utero, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

5. Hic iacet in praesepio, alleluia: Qui regnat sine termino, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

6. Et Angelus pastoribus, alleluia, Revelat quod sit Dominus, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

7. Reges de Saba Veniunt, alleluia, Aurum, thus, myrrham offerunt, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

8. Intrantes domum invicem, alleluia, Novum salutant Principem, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

9. De Matre natus Virgine, alleluia, Qui lumen est de lumine, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

10. Sine serpentis vulnere, alleluia, De nostro venit sanguine, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

11. In carne nobis similis, alleluia, Peccato sed dissimilis, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

12. Ut redderet nos homines, alleluia, Deo et sibi similes, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

13. In hoc natali gaudio, alleluia: Benedicamus Domino, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

14 Laudetur sancta Trinitas, alleluia, Deo dicamus gratias, alleluia, alleluia. Refrain

If you are considering our workshop, February 16-17, 2007, you might enjoy looking at a few clips from last year.

“Gaudete Sunday” is one of the few days in the new Church calendar that still retains its name take from the Introit. In how many parishes will the term Gaudete be used on Sunday? At very minimum, shouldn’t Gaudete be heard again? Here is the Gregorian:

And here is a Psalm-tone version in English (from the English Gradual) that should be suitable for any parish, and can be sung by any schola.

Good news for those of you who will be attending the Sacred Music Workshop in February, 2007:

The Hotel at Auburn University, which is in walking distance from St. Michael’s, is offering the incredible group rate of $87 per night (plus tax) for workshop attendees. The Hotel features first class guest rooms and service, one of Auburn’s premier restaurants, a garden terrace brimming with Alabama sunshine, a cozy indoor lounge just right for sipping a nightcap and comparing notes with other workshop attendees, a fully equipped fitness center, and more.

The Hotel’s online reservation system is undergoing an upgrade at present, so the best thing to do is call 1-800-228-2876. Mention the “Sacred Music Workshop” when you call in order to get the special rate. Reservations should be made on or before January 16, 2007.

It’s time to start work on the “O Antiphons”. Scott Turkington, who will direct our workshop in February, sings the first one here.

The Catholic Week of the Archdiocese of Mobile this week featured a front page announcement of the chant workshop at Cathedral about which there have been marvelous reports, especially from those who attended the final Mass. The workshop schola sang all the propers of the Mass according to the Graduale, and the fact of this progress has drawn some degree of national attention.

It would be impossible to express how exciting it is to see such progress being made in uniting music in such an integral way with the Mass. It is especially encouraging to scholas like ours in parishes in the archdiocese to be able to look to the Cathedral as a model for the liturgical arts. We all must express deep gratitude to Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb for encouraging these developments and being so supportive of the hard work of musicians who seek to accomplish what the Church is asking of us.

The 4th Annual Sacred Music Workshop will be here sooner than we know it. It is not too early to register online.

Thanks to a generous donation, a limited number of scholarships are available. Please write us to apply.

If you find you cannot come yourself, you might consider making a donation that would permit someone else to benefit from the expert instruction and fellowship with like-minded parish musicians - your choir director, a volunteer singer or organist, your pastor, or anyone who is interested in doing what Rome is calling for and breathing new life back into the chant tradition in your parish. Deo Gratias.