Office of Sacred Music

Summer 2013

“CANTEMUS DOMINO” ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS 4431 Lindell Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108 314.533.7662

Office of Sacred Music The mission of the Office of Sacred Music of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis is the advancement and promotion of the finest in Sacred Music in the parishes and apostolates of the Archdiocese, in keeping with the norms established by competent ecclesiastical authority.

“And the people sang…” • ADAM WRIGHT This past Christmas, I invited some friends of mine to join me for the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass at my parish. We thought it would be nice to have a small vocal trio at our largest Christmas Mass rather than Mass with a single cantor. As we prepared the music for the Mass, we found a wonderful arrangement of the familiar carol, “Silent Night.” Beautifully arranged for five parts, it could easily be reduced to four parts or even three if necessary. Hoping to maintain as full a sound as possible, the decision was made to sing the arrangement in four parts. There was one slight problem, how would the three of us sing a four-part harmony? The answer was simple; let the congregation sing the fourth part, in this case the melody. When the time came for the third verse with divisi, we held our breath (figuratively) and the people sang! There is always a noticeable change in the dynamic when the congregation takes ownership of the song. While moments like these are wonderful, how often do they occur in our parish music ministries? Does it only happen at Christmas when the music is incredibly familiar or is it something that can happen throughout the liturgical year?

In this issue… Page 2

A message from Dr. Horst Buchholz, Director of Sacred Music

Page 3

Audition information for the Archdiocesan Adult, Children’s and Hand bell choirs

Page 4

2013 International Organ Concert Series

Page 5

Guest Column: “Breathe Better” by Dr. MeeAe Cecilia Nam

Page 6

Archdiocesan Blessing of Musicians & Reception

Prior to this past Christmas, I had been given several suggestions on how to “maximize” the singing of the congregation. I thought about the

Continued on page 4

“I said to the orchestra, ‘If there are discords we must always play them as beautifully as we know how.’ A discord is not an excuse for ugly music-making, for playing out of tune.” - HERBERT VON KARAJAN

Office of Sacred Music

Summer 2013

VISIT US ON THE WEB: www.archstl.org/page/office-sacred-music

From the Director of Sacred Music Dear Parish Musicians: Summer greetings from the Office of Sacred Music. While many of you hopefully get to enjoy a slightly slower pace during the summer months, this is also a time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the fall and winter. Christmas is less than 6 months away! As many parishes have been successful in adapting the new Mass translation in a variety of musical settings, we would like to hear about your experience, and see how assemblies are responding to new or revised mass settings. It is our goal to provide support for parishes and musicians through education, workshops, and the offering of our Archdiocesan choirs. This fall the Office of Sacred Music and the local NPM chapter will be hosting the opening banquet with a Blessing of Musicians and guest speaker Dr. James Savage, Director of Music for the Archdiocese of Seattle and former NPM board member. More information below. In the winter the Office will join up again with the Musica Sacra St. Louis for a workshop on chant, a growing musical demand across Catholic parishes in the country. Finally, the Archdiocesan choirs (Adult, Children, Handbell) are auditioning new members for the fall. The choirs participate in Diocesan liturgies and celebrations, and have been part of the annual Christmas at the Cathedral concerts. More information about the choirs and auditions can be found on the next page Best wishes and God's blessings on you music ministry, Dr. Horst Buchholz, Director of Sacred Music, Archdiocese of St. Louis

Dr. Horst Buchholz Dr. Horst Buchholz is Director of Sacred Music for the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocese of St. Louis. He studied organ and conducting in his native Germany and holds a terminal degree in Catholic Church Music from the University of Arts in Berlin, as well as the Doctor of Music in conducting from Indiana University. He also serves as Vice-President for the Church Music Association of America.

Organ Vespers • Presented each Sunday, Labor Day through Memorial Day, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. • Program begins at 4:15 pm and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Experience the sound of the Great Kilgen Cathedral Pipe Organ!

• Free entrance. 2

Office of Sacred Music

Summer 2013

Have you thought about joining one of our choirs? Each year the Office of Sacred Music sponsors three choirs open, by audition, to all members of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. For more information on any of the choirs or to schedule an audition, please email [email protected] or call (314) 533-7662.

The Children’s Choir sings at Archdiocesan liturgies, special events, and concerts, as well as select masses at the Cathedral Basilica. Highlights include the Solemn Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his visit to St. Louis in 1999 and two Eucharistic Congresses in St. Louis. The children have regularly sung in the popular “Christmas at the Cathedral” concerts, as well as the St. Louis Bach Society’s “Candlelight Christmas Concert” at Powell Symphony Hall.

ARCHDIOCESAN CHOIR The Archdiocesan Choir is composed of members of the Cathedral Choir, as well as organists, choir directors, cantors, and other singers from the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Membership is by audition, and regular rehearsals are on Tuesday nights. The choir sings for major diocesan liturgies, and special programs such as the annual Christmas concert, other events and concerts within the Archdiocese of St. Louis and beyond, e.g. the Papal visit to St. Louis by Blessed John Paul II, or the 2007 National NPM Convention in Indianapolis.

The Archdiocesan Children’s Choir is a member of the American Federation of Pueri Cantores, a Catholic youth choir organization. They have undertaken performance tours to several cathedrals in this country, such as Arlington, VA, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, Newark, NJ, New York, NY, Oakland, CA, Orlando, FL, San Francisco, CA, and Washinton, DC. The choir has travelled to Rome, Italy, participating in the International Pueri Cantores congresses of 2006 and 2010. In 2008, they sang in the National Pueri Festival at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

The choir has toured to Italy, England, Austria, and Germany performing at many solemn masses, as well as in concert. The repertoire includes several major choral works, e.g. Verdi’s Requiem, Mozart’s “Coronation” and C minor Masses, and Bruckner’s F minor Mass, as well as many other great works of the Sacred Music tradition.

ARCHDIOCESAN HANDBELL CHOIR

ARCHDIOCESAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR

The Archdiocesan Handbell Choir meets on other Tuesdays at 7:00 pm and performs during the year for the 5:00 pm Sunday mass at the Cathedral. Members must be able to read music and previous handbell experience is recommended. The handbell choir participates in the “Christmas at the Cathedral” as part of the Cathedral Concerts series as well as some Archdiocesan Liturgies throughout the year.

The Archdiocesan Children’s choir was established in 1998 and is composed of children from parishes throughout the eleven counties of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The choir provides children with the opportunity to develop their voices, sharpen their musical skills, and sing sacred music in liturgical settings as well as in concert. 3

Office of Sacred Music

Summer 2013

“the congregation will not sing when a cantor is blaring through the microphone…”

THIS SUMMER

Continued from page 1 suggestions, but never really took the leap to try any of them until necessity forced my hand in the singing of “Silent Night.” Shortly after this experience, I was speaking with a colleague about Dr. James Savage of the Cathedral church in Seattle, Washington. It was brought to my attention that Dr. Savage’s advice on the matter is to have the cantor stand back from the microphone. In his opinion, the congregation will not sing when a cantor is overpowering them through the church sound system. Why should they? For the past several months, I have made it a goal of mine to substantially increase the congregational singing at my parish. As I examined the task, a few points stuck out: •

Our repertoire at the parish is fairly consistent, utilizing familiar texts and hymn tunes.



We use the same Ordinary setting at all parish Masses throughout each liturgical season (sometimes longer).



If the congregation is able to sing a different Responsorial Psalm week after week, why should the other selections be different?

With all of this in mind, I made the decision shortly before Easter to have the cantor step back from the microphone during the congregational singing, especially during pieces that should be familiar to all. Almost immediately there was a noticeable difference. I could hear the congregation instead of the cantor, and so could the congregation, prompting them to sing out even more. In conclusion, the decision to take this step was a bit daunting to say the least, but it is one I am glad to have made. The pastor is pleased and the people continue to sing. Perhaps it is something you may want to try in your parish in the coming months if you haven’t already. Adam Wright is the Assistant to the Director of Sacred Music. In addition to his duties in the Office of Sacred Music, he is also the Director of Liturgy & Music and Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry for the Church of Saint Bernadette in South St. Louis County as well as the chair of the annual Musica Sacra St. Louis Conference.

4

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL ORGAN CONCERT SERIES, PLEASE CALL 314.373.8229

Office of Sacred Music

Summer 2013

“Breathe Better” Daily Exercises to Improve Your Breathing Technique and Capacity

• Dr. MeeAe Cecilia Nam Good breathing is essential for healthy singing and helps to protect the voice from fatigue. Singing without well coordinated breathing is a common way to tire your voice. Here are both some helpful tips to understand efficient breathing for singing and exercises that can improve breathing skills for all vocalists.

Exercise 1 – Hissing: 1. Breathe for 4 counts, breathe out (hissing) for 4 counts 2. Breathe in for 6 counts, Hiss out for 10 3. In for 6, out for 12 4. In for 2, out for 12 5. In for 4, out for 16 6. In for 2, out for 16 7. In for 4, out for 20 8. In for 1, out for 20 Make the hiss consistent for even tone production.

Understanding Efficient Breathing • • • • •



Physically balanced body and poise (noble feeling) for action Silent intake of air – no gasps! No visible muscle tension – in face, mouth, neck, shoulders, or chest The feeling of breath begins deep in the lower part of the body. Be able to sense the action of the lowest ribs in the back and the lower part of the front abdomen. Flexible abdomen and ribs to respond to the demands of singing.

Exercise 2 – Filling Up in Fractions: 1. Breathe in gradually as you fill up your lungs in fractions (3 counts): On the count of one (1/3 full). On the count of two (2/3 full). On the count of three, your lungs should be full. On counts four through nine, breathe out gradually. 2. On the count of one (1/2 full). On the count of two (lungs full). On counts three through five, breathe out gradually. 3. On the count of one (lungs full). On counts two through five, breathe out gradually.

Common Patterns of Inefficient Inhalation • • • • •

Inhalation with the tummy held in tightly Inhalation wit the back held rigidly Collapsing physically when beginning to sing Gasping Taking in more air than you need

Exercise 3 – Lip Trills (bubble): Release your breath through your lips, vibrating the lips in a relaxed manner, while controlling the supply of air and feeling the diaphragm.

To Feel the Action of Breathing Lie on the floor on your back with your hands on your stomach. Breathe in and your hands will rise. Now breathe out and they will lower. In this position one cannot breathe incorrectly. Try to breathe the same way when you sing.

A few breathing exercises everyday will strengthen your breathing mechanism and get you ready to sing. Dr. MeeAe Cecilia Nam is Associate Professor of Voice at Eastern Michigan University. She holds a Doctorate in Voice and Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder.

5

Office of Sacred Music

Summer 2013

SAVE THE DATE | MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2013 ARCHDIOCESAN BLESSING OF MUSICIANS On Monday evening, October 7, 2013 the Office of Sacred Music will host a Blessing of Musicians at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. All musicians, choristers, cantors, organists, and music directors in the archdiocese are invited to attend. The evening will begin with a prayer service in the cathedral church followed by a dinner and lecture in Boland Hall (immediately adjacent to the cathedral). This event is co-sponsored by the NPM St. Louis Chapter. Join us as we welcome Dr. James Savage, Director of Music for the Cathedral of St. James (Seattle, Washington) , as our guest lecturer. Dr. Savage’s lecture will focus on methods for enhancing congregational singing. A nominal charge will be asked of all who wish to attend the dinner. Guests are welcome to attend the lecture without purchasing a dinner.

For more information or to RSVP, please email [email protected] or call 314.373.8227.

ANNOUNCING THE 2013-2014 CATHEDRAL CONCERTS SEASON October 11, 2013: Jane Parker-Smith November 8, 2013: Choir of St. Thomas, Leipzig, with the Leipzig Baroque Orchestra December 7 & 8, 2013: Christmas at the Cathedral February 8, 2014: Cantus February 23, 2014: Organ & Brass Spectacular March 15, 2014: Stile Antico April 8, 2014: St. Louis Symphony with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus conducted by David Robertson May 2, 2014: Alleluia Ringers *Artists & Dates subject to change

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CATHEDRALCONCERTS.ORG OR CALL 314.533.7662