End of year meme

Borrowed from voxangelus over on LiveJournal.

Since this post got a little long, I'll give the link to my LJ post. But feel free to post any comments here (or if you're reading this on Facebook over there).

Happy New Year, everyone!

End-Of-Year Meme

28 December - Variety of Services for the First Sunday After Christmas

This week, I have a variety of goodies in the Service Musical bag. Here are three lists, all detailing different services.

First of all, the music from the 7.45 am Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. I came in just as the Opening Hymn was finishing, so I didn't catch the prelude. As usual, the numbers come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover):

Sunday 7.45 am Mass: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Opening Hymn: 372, Once in Royal David's City (IRBY)
Gloria: A Christmas Gloria (GLORIA; Paul Gibson)
Psalm: 95, Psalm 98 (Haas/Haugen)
Gospel Acclamation: 216 (Mass for the Life of the World)
Off: 368, Lo, how a rose e'er blooming (ES IST EIN' ROS' ENSTSPRUNGEN)
Sanctus, Mem. Accl., Amen, Agnus Dei: Mass of Creation
Comm: 380, What child is this (GREENSLEEVES)
Closing Hymn: 362, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (IN DULCI JUBILO)
Postlude: In dulci jubilo (BWV 729; J. S. Bach)

I am not a fan of the Gibson doctoring of both the Christmas carol better known as "Angels we have heard on high" and the Gloria in excelsis deo. But, I'll admit that the people were singing the refrain rather heartily. So IMHO, those who insist that the people should be singing would be happy at the prospect that the people are singing; however, I'm not all that sure this particular setting is effective in pushing through the meaning of the Gloria. And especially with Gibson's arrangement, the entire last part of the Gloria is completely lost ("with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father, Amen").

As for that Closing Hymn - I'm not a fan of the "gender-neutral adaptation" of this piece ... and my preference would be to sing Pearsall's Latin/English version ("In dulci jubilo / Let us our homage shew / Our heart's joy reclineth / in praesepio etc.)


Moving right along ...

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. The service was actually a Festive Christmas Lessons and Carols. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982 unless otherwise noted.

First Sunday after Christmas: A Festival of Lessons and Carols
Opening Hymn: Once in Royal David's City (IRBY; arr. Willcocks)
Bidding Prayer
Lord's Prayer
The Invitatory: 82, Of the Father's love begotten (DIVINIUM MYSTERIUM)
Lesson 1: Gen 2: 4-9; 15-25
Hymn: Creator of the Stars of Night (CREATOR ALME SIDERUM)
Lesson 2: Gen 3: 1-15
Hymn: 64, O heavenly Word, eternal Light (O HEILAND, REISS)
Lesson 3: Is 40: 1-11
Hymn: 67, Comfort, comfort ye my people (PSALM 42)
Lesson 4: Is 35: 1-10
Hymn: 65, Prepare the way, O Zion (BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN)
Lesson 5: Lk 1: 26-38
Hymn: 265, The angel Gabriel from heaven came (GABRIEL'S MESSAGE)
Lesson 6: Lk 1: 39-56
Choral Anthem: Carol of the Manger (Knox/Wilson)
Lesson 7: Lk 2: 1-20
Choral Anthem: How Sweet is Love (M. Paget)
Hymn: 115, What child is this (GREENSLEEVES)
Lesson 8: Lk 2: 21-36
Hymn: 499, Lord God, you now have set your servant free (SONG 1)
Lesson 9: John 1: 1-18
Hymn: 83, O come, all ye faithful (ADESTE FIDELES)
Closing Collect
Blessing
Closing Hymn: 87, Hark the herald angels sing (MENDELSSOHN)
Postlude: In dir ist Freude (BWV 615; J.S. Bach)


My turn came up again for the 5.15 pm service at the Chapel of the Cross. There, they did a Holy Eucharist, Rite II.

First Sunday after Christmas: Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Prelude: How Sweet is Love (M. Paget); Or, nous dites Marie (C. Franck)
Pro: 93, Angels, from the realms of glory (REGENT SQUARE)
Gloria: recited
Psalm: 147, recited
Seq: 89, It came upon the midnight clear (CAROL)
Off: 112, In the bleak midwinter (CRANHAM)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Comm:

• Improvisation on Greensleeves
• Prelude on Greensleeves (H. Gehrke)
• Lobt Gott, ihr Christen (J.G. Walther)
• In dulci jubilo (F.W. Zachau)

Re: 105, God rest you merry, gentlement (GOD REST YOU MERRY)
Postlude: In dir ist Freude (BWV 615; J.S. Bach)



Mood: okay
Music: Episode 90 of the MuppetCast

24 December - Christmas Eve

First of all, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

It seems too warm to be Christmas though. We're having a wet Christmas, as opposed to a white Christmas ... imagine this, as I was driving home from the 11.00 pm Christ Mass service at Chapel of the Cross, the temperature was 66 °F / 19 °C. Go figure? And this was at around 1.00 am! I could almost imagine I was back in San Diego, coming home from Midnight Mass there.

Well, this is a Music post, and so music lists I will post. I have three lists for you this morning (yes, it is Christmas morning as I type this).

Carol Woods. Services there are organised by Chapel of the Cross. This service resembles the 8.00 am summer morning Rite I services at Chapel of the Cross, with a few omissions, depending upon the Presider of the Day. Numbers are out of the Hymnal 1982.

Christmas Eve: Holy Eucharist Rite I
Prelude: O Magnum Mysterium (T.L. de Victoria)
Pro: 83, O come, all ye faithful (ADESTE FIDELES)
Seq: 87, Hark the herald angels sing (MENDELSSOHN)
Off: 115, What child is this (GREENSLEEVES)
Comm: 82, Of the Father's love begotten (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)
Re: 100, Joy to the World (ANTIOCH)
Postlude: Vom Himmel Hoch (J.G. Walther; F. Zachau)

I will admit. Being at this service reminds me how much I miss hearing the Rite I language. I will be honest - I actually prefer the language of Rite I over Rite II. There is just something about confessing our "manifold sins and wickedness", or responding with "It is meet and right so to do" or "With thy spirit". More poetic, I think.

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played the 5.30 pm Christmas Eve service. The service was preceded by a 15 minute carol service (that actually ran a couple of minutes over ... oh well, but at least the people were singing!) ...

Christmas Eve: Holy Eucharist Rite II
A Prelude of Christmas Music:

• Once in royal David's city (IRBY, arr. D. Willcocks)
• 104, A stable lamp is lighted, vs 1-2; 4 (ANDUJAR)
• Motet: Carol of the Manger (M. Wilson)
• 81, Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming (ES IST EIN ROS)
• 106, Christians, awake, salute the happy morn, vs 1-3 (YORKSHIRE)
• 105, God rest you merry, gentlemen, vs 1, 4 (GOD REST YOU MERRY)

Pro: 83, O come, all ye faithful (ADESTE FIDELES)
Gloria: S-278 (W. Mathias)
Psalm: Psalm 96 (Barrett)
Seq: 80, From heaven above to earth I come (VOM HIMMEL HOCH)
Off: 87, Hark the herald angels sing (MENDELSSOHN)
Sanctus: S-128 (W. Mathias)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Agnus Dei: S-165 (W. Mathias)
Comm: How Sweet is Love (M. Paget); 111, Silent night, holy night (STILLE NACHT); 96, Angels we have heard on high (GLORIA)
Re: 100, Joy to the World (ANTIOCH)
Postlude: Wir Christenleut' (J. G. Walther)

I'll admit - I was a little underprepared for this service. Somehow, I still managed to pull it off. The choir (and congregation, for that matter) were not so comfortable with the Mathias settings of the Mass, which frankly speaking, surprised me. Somehow in my mind, I equated the Mathias setting for Rite II Eucharist to be to the Episcopalians as (shudder) Massive Cremation Mass of Creation is to the American Roman Catholics. I guess that is not necessarily the case. Well, this lot will have the rest of the Christmas and Epiphany season to learn, and get used to, the Mathias setting. IMHO, it really should be in every Episcopal parish's repertoire, especially if they are primarily a Rite II parish. Again - just MHO; YMMV. (Yes, alphabet soup.)

After a lovely supper (and a beautifully roasted turkey, as provided by the Capons), I dashed off to Chapel Hill for service #3: the 11.00 pm Christ Mass at the Chapel of the Cross. As usual - it was a glorious service, a High Mass of sorts, complete with smells and bells. Oh, and music. Lots and lots of music.

Christ Mass: Holy Eucharist Rite I
Organ and Choral Voluntaries

• In dulci jubilo (BWV 729; J. S. Bach)
• Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein (most likely BWV 734; Bach)
• Choral Anthem: Ding Dong! Merrily on high (G. R. Woodward/C. Wood)
• Noël, Grand Jeu et Duo (L. C. D'Aquin)
• Choral Anthem: The Infant King (S. Baring-Gould; arr. D. Willcocks)
• La Nativité: La Crèche; Les Anges; Les Bergers; La Sainte Famille (J. Langlais)
• Choral Motet: O magnum mysterium (M. Lauridsen)

Pro: 83, O come, all ye faithful (ADESTE FIDELES)
Gloria: S-202 (Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena; H. Willan)
Psalm: Psalm 98 (Ford; Plainchant Mode 7)
Seq: 91, Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light (ERMUNTRE DICH)
Off: Carol: The Sussex Carol (arr. D. Willcocks); Motet: Hodie Christus natus est (F. Poulenc)
Sanctus: S-114 (Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena; H. Willan)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Comm: 79, O little town of Bethlehem (FOREST GREEN); 101, Away in a manger (CRADLE SONG); 96, Angels we have heard on high (GLORIA); 111, Silent night, holy night (STILLE NACHT)
Re: 87, Hark the herald angels sing (MENDELSSOHN); 100, Joy to the World (ANTIOCH)
Postlude: Toccata (from Symphonie V; C.-M. Widor)

It was heaps of fun singing with the Senior Choir once again, and it was wonderful being with choristers who I haven't seen on a regular basis. Considering all that Chapel of the Cross has done for me, I'm more than happy to help out whenever I can.

So again: a very Happy Christmas to everyone.

21 December - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sigh. Late again. Yes, I know. It's Christmas. My Christmas lists will be posted shortly.

In the meantime, here is Advent IV.

I cantored the 7.45 am Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. My friend Jane played the organ. I didn't write down what she played as prelude and postlude, but IIRC, both of them were by Bach and came out of the Orgelbüchlein. As usual, the numbers come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover):

Sunday 7.45 am Mass: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Opening Hymn: 327, When the King shall come again (GAUDEAMUS PARITER)
Psalm: Psalm 89 (Guimont)
Gospel Acclamation: 187 (Mass of Light)
Off: 317, O come, O come Emmanuel (VENI, VENI EMMANUEL)
Sanctus, Mem. Accl., Amen: 300, 301, 302; Land of Rest Mass
Agnus Dei: 312, Agnus Dei XVIII
Comm: 337, Creator of the Stars of Night (CREATOR ALME SIDERUM; chanted a cappella in Latin)
Postlude: Organist voluntary

After Mass, there were several people who approached me and asked me what that Communion chant was, and I told them, directing them to the Hymnal for the English. (This is despite the fact the number was posted on the electronic hymnboard.) They complimented me on my chanting, and said it was really really nice to hear Latin. Frankly speaking, I did prefer to sing the Latin (link above has the Latin lyrics, along with an English translation), as I am not keen on how GIA's editors messed with the English translation. I mean, come on:

To God Creator, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One

You can only guess which part of that I object to. Sigh.

Moving right along ...

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982 unless otherwise noted.

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Holy Eucharist Rite II
Prelude: Prière à Notre Dame (from Suite Gothique; L. Boëllmann)
Pro: 56, O come, O come, Emmanuel (VENI, VENI EMMANUEL)
Trisagion: Enriching Our Music I 54 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Psalm: S-242; Canticle 15 (Magnificat; Tonus Peregrinus)
Seq: 265, The angel Gabriel from heaven came (GABRIEL'S MESSAGE)
Off: 60, Creator of the Stars of Night (CREATOR ALME SIDERUM)
Sanctus: Enriching Our Music I 56 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Agnus Dei: Enriching Our Music I 57 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Comm: I sing of a maiden (P. Hadley; Dolores Brine, soprano; Lisa Miller, mezzo-soprano); GC I 342, Night of Silence (D. Kantor; sung without Silent Night)
Re: 66, Come, thou long expected Jesus (STUTTGART)
Postlude: Passacaglia in f minor (A. Raison, as found in The Parish Organist.)

As for the Hymn Sing that occurred after the service ... well, I played through the list whilst others were hanging the greens around the church. Click the link to see what those hymns were.

Simbang Gabi, Friday of the Third Week of Advent

We had an amazing celebration last night - the Filipino Community of Central North Carolina had their annual Simbang Gabi Mass. For more about the Simbang Gabi tradition, click here for an explanation, courtesy of the Archdiocese of Manila website. I was amazed by how many people attended this Mass; it far exceeded our expectations. It was standing room only; the gym was choc-a-bloc full of people, and there were still others out in the courtyard. It was wonderful to see so many people, some of whom came as far away as Asheville to celebrate this Mass with us!

The Mass, celebrated by Fr Julian Jagudilla, OFM, was conducted in Tagalog mostly, with judicious use of English here and there ... and the music was provided by a group of Filipinos, both young and old, who love to sing. This was followed by a cultural programme ably organised and hosted by Ansell Neri and Joy Mabellos, and featured traditional Filipino song and dance from a couple of youth choirs and dance troupes.

Of course, the post-Mass reception was a smashing success! There was more than enough food to feed everyone, and a great time was had by all.

With that, here is the list of music, with attributions as I was able to find them. I believe the unattributed music was written by members of the Jesuit Music Ministry of the Philippines. Any numbers you see come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover).

Prelude:

• 331, God of all people
• 317, O come, O come Emmanuel
• Pasko Medley (Ang Pasko ay salubungin / Pasko na naman / Noche Buena)

Opening Hymn: Purihi't Pasalamatan (EP Hontiveros, SJ)
Kyrie: Panginoon, maawa ka (TV Vinteres, CsSR)
Gloria: Papuri sa Diyos (Hontiveros)*
Psalm: Psalm 71 (MCA Parco, FSP)
Gospel Acclamation: Aleluya (Hontiveros)
Offertory: Ang Puso Ko'y Nagpupuri (Hontiveros' setting of the Magnificat)
Sanctus: Santo, Santo (Hontiveros)
Memorial Acclamation: Si Kristo ay namatay (unattributed, most likely Hontiveros)
Concluding Acclamation: Four-fold Amen (unattributed)
Lord's Prayer: Ama Namin (Vinteres)
Agnus Dei: Kordero ng Diyos (Hontiveros)
Communion Hymns

• Himig ng Pasko (unattributed)
• 328, My Soul in Stillness Waits

Closing Hymn: Ang Pasko ay sumapit (L. Celerio)
Postlude:

• 890, America the Beautiful
• Medley (Ako ay Pilipino / Pilipinas kong mahal / Bayan ko)

* I am aware that during Advent, the Gloria is not sung. However, an exception has been made for this set of Masses. This explanation comes courtesy of Fr Mel Portula, CICM, who is now based in Baguio City, Philippines:

During Misa de Gallo – a nine-day novena before Christmas popular in the Philippines and among Filipinos around the world, "Gloria" is sung. Novena Masses have a unique liturgical character. The "Gloria" is sung on these Masses and the vestment color is white. I believe that since Misa de Gallo is considered a novena, then "Gloria" is sung and white is the color of the vestment, not purple. All Masses during the nine-day novenas follow the same structure and rubric, even the one that falls on Sunday.

So there you have it. It was an issue we had debated back when we first started doing Simbang Gabi Masses here in Central NC.

On the heels of this very successful Mass, we are optimistic that we could consider growing this for next year. I won't expect that we'll immediately be able to do the full nine Masses as required by the Novena nature of Simbang Gabi, but we might be able to consider doing more than one Mass for the subsequent years. I like how it's done at some of the other diocese in the US: for each of the nine days, a different parish would host the Simbang Gabi. I believe we have enough parishes with a significant Filipino population within the Diocese of Raleigh that we may consider this possibility in the future.

The Christmas hymn requests thus far

Just in case anyone was curious:

78, O Little Town of Bethlehem (FOREST GREEN)
81, Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
96, Angels we have heard on high
100, Joy to the world!
104, A stable lamp is lighted
106, Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
112, In the bleak midwinter

A request had been made for "Il est né, le divin enfant", however, this tune is not in the Hymnal 1982. If there is time however, I'll play it, and sing it at the same time.

Keep those requests coming!

14 December - Third Sunday of Advent

I'm earlier this time. Here are my lists. I have only two today.

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982 unless otherwise noted.

Third Sunday of Advent: Rite II
Prelude: In dulci jubilo (BWV 751; J.S. Bach)
Pro: 437, Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord (BIRMINGHAM)
Trisagion: Enriching Our Music I 54 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Psalm: Psalm 126 (Guimont)
Seq: 76, On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (WINCHESTER NEW)
Off: 64, O heavenly Word, eternal Light (O HEILAND, REISS)
Sanctus: Enriching Our Music I 56 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Agnus Dei: Enriching Our Music I 57 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Comm: In dulci jubilo (arr. R. L. de Pearsall)
Re: 72, Hark the glad sound! the Savior comes (RICHMOND)
Postlude: Vom Himmel Hoch (J.G. Walther)

From my vantage point, I do hear the congregation singing the service music. That makes me feel happy. Hmmm. I suppose that's something I can add to my Happy Meme over on LJ.

I received some compliments over how nice the choir was sounding. They had a difficult time reading the music for their anthem today (and I will admit - it wasn't the easiest thing to read, either). But I'm glad at how they are coming along. And, of course, so is the appreciative congregation.

Ah, and for those who are interested in helping to Put Up the Greens in the church next Sunday afternoon after lunch: yes, there will be another Lyn Roast ... erm, I mean Hymn Sing. So think up of which Christmas songs you want me to play. I'll accept requests. (Demetrias, I can already guess what your request will be ... perhaps something similar to what you requested last Sunday? Maggie S. and Kate R., I might very well put your requests at the top of the queue. :-)


I was supposed to have played the 5.15 pm service at Chapel of the Cross this afternoon; however, because the Parish Choir was going to sing two anthems that had to be accompanied, Van Quinn decided to play and asked that I sing with the choir. So I sang alto for this group. It was such a treat to listen to Van play once again ... he's been doing this for so long, despite one being unable to see the altar from the organ console, he still timed his improvs exactly. I'd love to learn how to do that!

Third Sunday of Advent: Rite II
Prelude: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 659; J.S. Bach)
Pro: 73, The King shall come when morning dawns (ST STEPHEN)
Psalm: Psalm 126 (recited)
Seq: 640, Watchmen, tell us of the night (ABERYSTWYTH)
Off: Rejoice in the Lord alway ("The Bell Anthem"; H. Purcell, using his "Bell Symphony" as introduction), followed by an improvisation on that theme.
Sanctus: S-124, New Plainsong Mass (D. Hurd)
Comm: Adam lay ybounden (B. Ord), followed by an improvisation on that theme.
Re: 74, Blest be the King (VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN)
Postlude: Valet will ich dir geben (BWV 735; J.S. Bach)

Hearing all this wonderful organ music makes me want to go off and practice. But first, I must get some rest. Two hours of sleep before a full Sunday is not conducive to top performance, I will readily admit that.

Mood:sleepy

Music: uStreaming "The Daily Breakfast" with Fr Roderick on SQPN.com

7 December - Second Sunday of Advent

It figures that I'd be late for this one. Better late than never, eh?

Here are my lists.


The 7.45 am Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. As usual, the numbers come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover):

Sunday 7.45 am Mass: Second Sunday of Advent
Prelude: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People (P. Manz)
Opening Hymn: 334, Savior of the Nations, Come (NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND)
Psalm: 79 Psalm 85 (Haugen)
Gospel Acclamation: 187 (Mass of Light)
Off: 321, On Jordan's Bank (WINCHESTER NEW)
Sanctus, Mem. Accl., Amen: 300, 301, 302; Land of Rest Mass
Agnus Dei: 312, Agnus Dei XVIII
Comm: 331, God of All People; Allegretto (Wm. Boyce)
Postlude: Allegretto (G. Böhm)

I decided on the Boyce at the last minute; I knew the Communion song was short, and I wasn't so keen on trying to improvise on it again, so I thought pulling out the Boyce would be a good solution. I had people approach me after Mass and compliment me on that, as well as the other (simple!!!) voluntary music I played.


St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982 unless otherwise noted.

Second Sunday of Advent: Rite II
Prelude: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People (P. Manz)
Pro: 67, Comfort, comfort ye my people (PSALM 42)
Trisagion: Enriching Our Music I 54 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Psalm: Psalm 85 (Guimont)
Seq: 75, There's a voice in the wilderness crying (ASCENSION)
Off: 53, Once he came in blessing (GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN)
Sanctus: Enriching Our Music I 56 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Agnus Dei: Enriching Our Music I 57 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Comm: LEVAS II 11, Prepare the way of the Lord; GC I 331, God of All People
Re: 76, On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (WINCHESTER NEW)
Postlude: Allegretto (G. Böhm)

Yes, in my mind, "God of all people" is getting a bit overplayed. It was a last-minute addition since I really didn't feel like improvising on "Prepare the way ...". Funny. After all my whingeing on that Song of Thanksgiving I butchered at IC last week, now I program this one out of Lift Every Voice and Sing II, and delude myself that I have the jazz chops to pull it off effectively? My bass guitarist did this one very very well though, and it complimented "God of all people" quite nicely.


Advent Lessons and Carols at the Episcopal Centre at Duke University. Now that was fun. I had a violin, a viola, a trumpet, and a bassoon to accompany the lovely little 3-stop Holtkamp that lives at the Episcopal Centre. Kudos to Sterling, Meg, Laura, and Daniel for the wonderful job they did!

A festive banquet and Lyn Roast ... erm, Hymn Sing followed. Boy am I glad my sight-reading skills have improved since I started organ lessons. They came in very handy during the Hymn Sing!

I'm just going to list the hymns we did during the Lessons and Carols.

25, O Gracious Light (THE EIGHTH TUNE)
60, Creator of the Stars of Night (CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM)
67, Comfort, comfort ye my people (PSALM 42)
59, Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding (MERTON)
65, Prepare the way, O Zion (BEREDEN VAEG FOER HERRAN)
74, Blest be the King (VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN)
54, Saviour of the Nations, come (NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND)
66, Come, thou long expected Jesus (STUTTGART)
57, Lo! He comes with clouds descending (HELMSLEY)
56, O come, O come Emmanuel (VENI VENI EMMANUEL)
76, On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (WINCHESTER NEW)

As a postlude, Daniel and I played the Böhm piece listed above; his bassoon took the pedal line. It actually sounded pretty neat.


Compline at Chapel of the Cross. It's the last of the Fall Semester.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Ecce concipiens (Jacob Gallus (Handl))
Psalms 4 and 134 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: 60, Creator of the stars of night (CREATOR ALME SIDERUM)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Alma Redemptoris Mater (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Josquin Desprez)
Organ Voluntary by the abfab David Arcus.

Actually, David's piece was not an improv, but an actual piece ... on BESANÇON actually ... but I didn't get a chance to ask him who composed it ...

Compline won't start up again until the third Sunday in January, I believe. I thought it was a nice send-off to the students for the completion of their finals, and the winter hols.

Happy 100th Birthday to Olivier Messiaen

Photo credit: George Tames, NY Times

Today is a milestone birthday for one of the biggest names in the Organ World. It would have been the one-hundredth birthday of Olivier Messiaen, who was born on this day in 1908.

I will admit that the first time I heard his music, I wasn't enamoured of it. Then I heard Gail Archer and Colin Andrews play his work ... and I was hooked. It was unlike anything I've ever heard before. Do a search on his name on places like YouTube, Pandora, Last.fm, etc. and give his music a listen.

As an example, here is Messiaen playing an improvisation on the Cavaillé-Coll at Église de la Ste.-Trinité in Paris.

Uggggggh ... utter tiredness!

Well, I knew this was going to be my busy weekend. I will admit, I completely blew off the Concerts at St. Stephen's people - it was tree delivery day today (from the annual Christmas Trees and Greeneries sale), and I said I'd help. Well, I woke up this morning, feeling rather blah, plus there was a pile of laundry that really needed to get done. So I had to make my decision ...

A run-through of Lessons and Carols was next at the Episcopal Centre, as well as sharing of musical resources and such with the Chaplain. After some chatting, it was back home for more laundry, and then off to Raleigh to rehearse with the Filipino Choir. We are preparing three songs, two English, one Tagalog, for the annual PAANC Gala for the 20th December. Then after that, dashing back to Durham to sit down at the organ and prepare for the 7.45 am Mass for Immaculate Conception, as well as the 10.30 service for St. Joseph's. Then home, where I had to reorganise the choir folders for the Simbang Gabi service choir, as well as put into musical notation a song that the Couples for Christ Youth Choir will perform during the post-Simbang Gabi reception.

And now here we are. Where hides sleep, is she watching me? Don't forsake me now ... I'll have to get up in around 3.5 hours anyway so that I can prepare a large pot of salabat and then head off to IC.

Sunday won't be any better. 7.45 am Mass at IC, followed by a 9.30 am choir call at St. Joseph's, and then a 12.30 pm rehearsal for the Simbang Gabi service choir, followed by a 2.30 pm rehearsal with volunteer musicians for the Episcopal Center's Advent Lessons and Carols, which will occur at 5.00 pm. After a festive banquet, it's Roast Lyn time ... erm, I mean, it's Advent and Christmas Hymn Sing. Any hymn or song from The Hymnal 1982 in the Advent and Christmas sections is fair game. Well, I'll get to exercise my sight-reading skills, that's for sure! Hymn sing would have to be cut short so that I can be out the door and heading toward Chapel Hill and the last Compline of the Fall Semester. I will be lucky if I make the 8.30 pm choir call, so I would hope to get there before the service starts at 9.30 pm.

And then once that's done, I can roll on home and drop on my bed.

Monday, Monday ... becomes my light at the end of the tunnel ...

/whingeing session over

Bach in Space

How would Bach sound from other planets such as Mars, Venus, and Saturn's moon, Titan?

This very interesting report, which appeared on PRI's "The World", will tell you how. Click here to get to the page, where there is an embedded audio player to hear this report.

It's a veritable hit ...

A couple of months ago, I blogged on my ukoy craving ... I was craving it so much I had to make it.

I decided to make it for a Filipino gathering tonight, so I followed the recipe I posted (click on the link above if you want to see it), this time omitting the food colouring, but adding a single raw shrimp, tail off, 41-50 ct/lb size per 1/4 cup of batter.

Wow, it turned out so well! I managed to eke out 20 with that recipe. Unfortunately, they were a little greasy, but that was because I didn't defrost the shrimp before hand, so I had to fry on medium-low heat to ensure the shrimp was cooked.

Note to self: defrost shrimp before use ...

The ukoy were gone within 5 minutes. I also received a request to make it, but to at least quadruple the amounts, for the reception post Simbang Gabi. I just might do that ...

An idea gone good

This morning, I noticed that Fr Roderick Vonhögen was going to record another episode of The Daily Breakfast. He generally encourages people to join him on uStream as he's recording his podcasts.

Today he wanted to recap his trip to Rome, so when I joined the stream, he was doing his pre-podcast prep, trying to recall his activities while he was there. He went with a couple of other priests, one of whom was defending his Ph.D. thesis at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

He spoke of archaeological digs, St Peter, and his friend's thesis defence. His podcast went on a bit longer than usual, clocks in at just a little over one hour, but to be honest, it barely felt like any time passed by. He was so passionate about what he was talking about, and you can hear it in his voice as he was describing for example, the archaeological digs around Rome. (I do recall having seen some of that myself when I was in Rome several years ago.)

The coolest thing? After he finished recording it, he was wondering what to name the episode. I made two suggestions: Roman Archaeological Digs, and Roman Revelations. Fr Roderick really liked the latter, and so that became the name of his latest episode.

Squee.

A Grammy Nomination ...

... for someone who may be considered a controversial figure in the Organ world: Cameron Carpenter.

I actually had the pleasure of meeting him a few years back, when he gave a concert for the Concerts at St Stephen's series. I was the one who drew the airport duties, so we had a chance to chat. IIRC, he was also a Kenan scholar with the NC School of the Arts while he was a student there.

I will admit that I haven't followed his career too closely in the intervening years ... but then I received an email from one of the organ-related listservs that announced that Carpenter received a Grammy Nomination for "Best Instrumental Soloist Performance Without Orchestra" for his first CD/DVD, Revolution.

Congratulations, Cameron!

2008 Year in Review, Blogger-Style

Borrowed from Somigliana over on LiveJournal.

Instructions: Post the first one or two sentences from the first LJ-entry of each month.

I also posted one of these on my LJ. It won't be as long as this post because I only started my LJ last August.

Sorry for the length of this post. I wish Blogger had a feature like LJ ("LJ cut") so the appearance of the post won't be so long and daunting.

With that, the review.

January, in which I admit I have an obsession with Harry Potter Fan Fiction. Goodness, I go on a whinge-fest don't I? Click the January link if you want to read more besides the snippet I provided here ...

We are now at Day 2 of 2008. I'll have to admit to not having done much besides putter around the house ... and read some Harry Potter Fanfiction. I know, there are other things I really should be doing, like ...

February, in which Brian Michael Page so very kindly awarded me an "E for Excellent" blog award. (Thanks, Brian! :-) )

Brian over at Christus Vincit was so kind to give me a blog award. The catch? I have to award it back to 10 other blogs! The recipients must do the same.

March, in which I discuss Dudley Moore, who in his youth played both the piano and the organ.

Interestingly enough, on the listserv PIPORG-L, there is a thread going on entitled "Famous People who play organ." The late British actor and comedian, Dudley Moore, was mentioned as one of them.

April, in which I wrote about my first bout with laryngitis, and my thoughts on the now Dr. Amanda Sharko's Ph.D. defence (she was brilliant, by the way).

It happens yet again - every time I catch a cold, laryngitis inevitably follows. So I'm temporarily speechless ...

I went to UNC this afternoon to listen to my friend Amanda Sharko's Ph.D. Thesis Defence Seminar.

May, in which I provided the Order of Worship for an Evensong I attended for the Feast of the Ascension.

I went to The Chapel of the Cross for their Solemn Evensong for the Feast of the Ascension. The main draw: The Revd. Professor Peter Gomes made a return visit to preach.

June, in which I post the service music for the Third Sunday after Pentecost.

The Centennial Celebration Weekend at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church concluded with a visit from Bishop William Gregg this past Sunday. (Yes, I know. I'm posting this several days late, but ... better late than never, right?)

July, in which I list the service music from the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul and wished Fr Jacek well in his future endeavours.

I played the 5.30 pm Vigil Mass at Immaculate Conception Saturday evening, and pinch-hit for my mate Andy at the 7.45 am Mass the next morning.

Before I go on, I should mention that this was also the last weekend that Fr. Jacek Orzechowski would spend as the Parochial Vicar at IC, having been assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Camillus Church in Silver Springs, MD.

August, in which I noticed the respect residents of Rocky Mount, NC, have for a funeral procession.

A friend and I drove to Rocky Mount, NC to attend the funeral of a mutual friend's father. (It was for him that I asked for prayers Monday; he passed away early morning July 30.) At the memorial service, there were tears and remembrances; he was much-beloved by family and friends.

September, in which I list the service music for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost.

Sorry for the huge delay in posting this. There are three music lists here from the two services I played last Sunday morning and afternoon, as well as the Compline service I sung in later on that evening.

October, in which I opened the month filling in the meme that is now making its way through Facebook: the Closest Book Meme:

Well, I highly doubt I would have been able to find anything that would have fulfilled the requirements of this meme from Episcopal Music Planning Guides, so I grabbed the next best thing that's not a hymnal or the Book of Common Prayer.

Sigh. It figures. I pull out a book of poetry, and the fifth sentence on page 56 bleeds on to page 57.

And the title of the book I pulled out: The Poetry of Pablo Neruda, Ed. Ilan Stavans, Farrar, Straus and Giroux: New York, 2003

November, in which I list the service music for the Feast of All Saints.

These lists come quite late because I've been sick. (Those of you who have been following my Facebook page have probably had enough of my whingeing.)

Here are my usual lists.

And finally, December, in which I list the service music for the First Sunday of Advent.

Happy Advent Everyone!

I have four lists for you this time around.

Wow, what a list. I originally started this blog on MySpace in June 2007, and moved it here September 2007. My original intention was to create the blog to record any service music and concert programs. As you can see, it's evolved into a journal of thoughts and impressions on life in general. If you made it this far, thanks for wading into my thoughts.

Pax vobiscum,
Lyn, aka the Organ-ic Chemist

Tuesday Meme-ery

I have a few memes to fill in. I decided to do it on LJ mainly because of the added benefit of the LJ cut. I haven't figured out how to do it on Blogger, and it's all too easy to import posts into Facebook.

So with that, the memes. Note that to read them, you'll have to click on the link corresponding to the meme.

Meme #1: Sixteen Little Things. I was tagged by Trisha.

Once you've been tagged, you have to write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 16 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

Well, first of all, I would much rather not tag people on memes. If they feel so inclined to fill in the meme, then I leave it up to them to post the meme on their blog, Facebook, LJ, etc.

So the only person I will tag is the one who tagged me first. Just because, Cousin Mine.

The Sixteen Little Things Meme

Meme #2: Guess That Movie. Stolen from Faryn B.

Instructions:

• Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
• Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
• Post them here for everyone to guess.
• Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
• NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search or other search functions.
• No looking at my favorite movies on my Facebook, MySpace, or Flixter pages ...

Hmmm. Well, the only reason why I'd consider this is because ... well, look at this Rickman movie meme I did back in mid-October. So as you can probably guess, yes, this will be a "Guess the Rickman Movie" meme. The quotes will be drawn from films, both from the small and large screen, in which Rickman has appeared over his ca. 30+-year acting career. If you feel like playing, leave your answers in the combox either on LJ, on Facebook, or on Blogger. I'll post the updates on LJ.

The Guess That (Rickman) Movie Meme

Meme #3: The Meme about Memes and Blogging. Yanked from Sunday Stealing. I'll have to blame JunoMagic for this one as she was the one who introduced me to this blogger in the first place! Well, not directly, of course, but still ...

The Meme about Memes and Blogging

Whew! Well, have at it. Feel free to yank any or all memes from this space. And remember - if you want to play "Guess that Rickman film", leave a comment and I'll let you know whether you're hot, warm, or cold. :-)

Pax vobiscum ...

30 November - First Sunday of Advent

Happy Advent Everyone!

I have four lists for you this time around. I was the sub for the 5.30 pm Saturday Vigil Mass and my turn came up for cantoring the 7.45 am Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. I did that in addition to playing my usual 10.30 am service at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church. Since we just had Thanksgiving break, there was no service at the Episcopal Centre at Duke University. And then rounding out the list is the Compline service at Chapel of the Cross.

First, the 5.30 pm service at Immaculate Conception. As usual, the numbers come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover):

Saturday 5.30 pm Vigil Mass: First Sunday of Advent
Prelude: Jesu, joy of Man's desiring (JS Bach)
Introductory Antiphon, Entrance Hymn, Greeting, Penitential Rite: Advent Entrance Rite (Hommerding/French)
Psalm: 75, Psalm 80 (Haugen)
Gospel Acclamation: 216 (Mass for the Life of the World)
Off: 331, God of all people (D Haas)
Sanctus, Mem. Accl., Amen, Fraction Rite: Missa Emmanuel
Comm: Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn (JG Walther); 638, Eye has not seen (M Haugen)
Song of Thanksgiving: Find us ready, Lord (T Booth)
Postlude: Wachet auf (Hymn 61 out of Hymnal 1982, followed by the Walther setting out of Achtzig Choralvorspiele)

For me, it was a frustrating afternoon. I would have wanted to have some time with the organ, but not surprisingly, the church was being used ... a wedding had just concluded, and I only had time enough to work out the Advent Entrance Rite. The choir trickled in as I worked it out, so there was the added benefit that they were able to work out their parts as I worked out registrations and the like. The abfab Fr Dan McLellan wandered in eventually, and we were all able to work out our bits (and Fr Dan has a wonderful singing voice). I didn't get a chance to practice my prelude piece, and not surprisingly, I messed it up. Big time. Even overestimated the time I needed to play it, so we had a full 2 minutes of silence before Mass started. Not a bad thing, IMHO.

I wish I thought to check on the soundboard. All levels were down to zero, so despite the fact the necessary mikes were unmuted, no sound was being transmitted. So the effect was that we all missed the solo voices that went along with the Entrance Rite. Sigh. What a way to introduce a new piece of music to a congregation! Add to that, me being unsure how to indicate music not included in Gather Comprehensive on the electronic hymnboard, and the general hilarity that came with pressing the wrong buttons on the thing, and the frustration was complete.

Oh even better - this was at the height of the sound problems. During the Psalm, because I couldn't hear the cantor very well, I completely lost track of what verse we were on. (Admittedly, I am so not enamoured of that Psalm setting anyway. I could have lived without it ... and admittedly, I faked my way through it; it had all those strange rhythms and such.) I ended the Psalm, and then I glanced up at one of the choir members and asked him, "Was that three verses?" He answered in the affirmative, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

During the Homily, I eventually figured everything out regarding the hymnboard, and the soundboard, and there were no more problems that came up. At least, from the point of view of the musician and sound engineer (and yes, I fulfilled that role as well ...)

At the last minute, I decided to play a Walther piece appropriate for Advent and ordered the choir to take Communion. I'm glad I did that; the Walther piece, combined with "Eye has not seen" filled up the time nicely, and we even had some moments for silence afterward as the altar servers were folding up the altar cloth, and before Fr Dan's invitation for the people to stand and join in singing the Song of Thanksgiving.

I will admit - I had never heard that song before ("Find us ready"). When I first tried playing it, it sounded like noise to me, so unmusical. I will admit - I don't really do jazzy pieces or gospelly pieces all that well. (I suspect that showed when I interviewed at a church last year when I was still looking for a part-time church music position.) It took doing a search on YouTube for me to have a feel for what the piece should sound like. From my vantage point, I couldn't really tell if the people were singing this well or not. But then again, I was just concentrating on getting through the piece.

To be honest, I was quite surprised that the DM did not program "Wachet auf" for this Mass. (It appears at #335 in Gather Comprehensive.) So I decided to play that, with the accompaniment out of Hymnal 1982, as my postlude, pulling out most stops, and then following that up with Walther's setting of that hymntune. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a lot of people seemed to stay for the hymn, and started stirring when I started on the Walther.

It was a relief to be done.

I blogged on the Mass settings used in this particular Mass earlier, and you may read my thoughts here. I also included my thoughts on how well I thought programming the Hommerding/French alongside the Proulx Missa Emmanuel worked together. I know, it's only one Sunday, but after having played this Mass, I stand by my opinion that it's completely overkill, and that IMHO, it effectively shuts out the possibility of programming "Creator of the Stars of Night" and "O come, o come, Emmanuel" during Advent.

Now that my thoughtspill is completed over this Mass, we can move on to the rest ... and yes, I don't have as much commentary over the following lists.

For the Mass I cantored, my friend Jane was the organist.

Sunday 7.45 am Mass: First Sunday of Advent
Prelude: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 645; JS Bach)
Opening Hymn: 335, Wake, O wake and sleep no longer (WACHET AUF)
Psalm: Psalm 80 (Guimont)
Gospel Acclamation: 187 (Mass of Light)
Off: 323, Come, O long expected Jesus (STUTTGART)
Sanctus, Mem. Accl., Amen: 300, 301, 302; Land of Rest Mass
Agnus Dei: 312, Agnus Dei XVIII
Comm: Organist's voluntary; sounds like Langlais, but I could be wrong.
Postlude: Improvisation on Veni veni Emmanuel

My voice was still a little rough, but I survived it. Three guesses as to which setting of Psalm 80 that was sung at IC I prefer. :-) Also too - I would love to have what Jane played as prelude in my repertoire, but alas. It's not. Maybe next year. In the meantime, click here for a really nice interpretation of that piece as played by Ton Koopman on a 1714 Silbermann organ, Dom St. Marien, Saxony, Germany.


St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982 unless otherwise noted.

First Sunday of Advent: Rite II
Prelude: Jesu, joy of Man's desiring (JS Bach)
Pro: 57, Lo! he comes, with clouds descending (HELMSLEY)
Trisagion: Enriching Our Music I 54 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Psalm: Psalm 80 (Ford, plainsong Mode 1)
Seq: 61, "Sleepers, wake!" A voice astounds us (WACHET AUF)
Off: 596, Judge eternal, throned in splendor (KOMM, O KOMM DU GEIST DES LEBENS); Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn (JG Walther)
Sanctus: Enriching Our Music I 56 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Agnus Dei: Enriching Our Music I 57 (Missa Oecumenica; R Proulx)
Comm: Wachet auf! (F Mendelssohn), followed by an improvisation on the theme when I noticed people were still at the Communion Rail after the choir sang this piece.
Re: 68, Rejoice! rejoice, believers (LLANGLOFFAN)
Postlude: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (JG Walther)

Yes, it was overkill on Wachet auf, but people were humming the tune as they were leaving the church, and some were humming it during the Coffee and Fellowship hour afterward.

This was the first Sunday in at least 2+ years that the choir vested, and I received overwhelmingly positive feedback concerning that. In addition, with regards to the service music, a few people approached me and told me that they thought they heard it somewhere, and that it wasn't completely "new" to them. I smiled and thought, oh goodie, my little subliminal messages over the past month have worked. This week, the choir was accompanied by organ and bass guitar; next week, they're on their own as they'll be singing the whole of it a cappella.

Speaking of which - they did a wonderful job with the Mendelssohn, and my Psalmist, Joel M., did wonderfully on the Psalm. He's got a very good sense of pitch, and a very pleasant singing voice on top of that. I feel blessed to have such talented people as part of the Music Ministry at St. Joseph's.

As I mentioned earlier, there was no service at the Episcopal Centre at Duke University. The next time we come together, which will be on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, we will be celebrating Advent Lessons and Carols. Speaking of which - if you're in the area, and if you're not planning to go to the Duke Chapel Choir's third performance of Handel's Messiah at Duke Chapel, please consider coming to the Episcopal Centre, located right next to Campus Police, and across the street from the Ronald McDonald House on Alexander St. It will start at 5.00 pm, and we eventually end with a hymn sing. There should be enough merriment to send the students off into their final exams and the Christmas hols.


Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Ecce concipiens (Jacob Gallus (Handl))
Psalms 31 and 134 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: 60, Creator of the stars of night (CREATOR ALME SIDERUM)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Alma Redemptoris Mater (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Robert Parsons)
Organ Voluntary by the abfab David Arcus.

David improvised on themes from Alma Redemptoris Mater. It was a very simple, very elegant improv. I feel like I'm learning something new every time I listen to David improvise. Of course, we were teasing each other all throughout - I had tripped over his feet as we were processing in last Sunday, and this Sunday, he managed to trip over mine ... also too, last Sunday, we were both coughing and hacking during the course of the service, leaving the alto section 50% depleted. So this Sunday, in greeting, I thrust a handful of cough drops into his hands. He took it with good humour.

Next Sunday will be the last Compline service of the Fall Semester. If you're in the area, please drop on by; the service is at 9.30 pm. I know I'll be dashing from Duke to make the choir call ... I have no way of knowing how long the Advent Lessons and Carols will take place ... well, rather, how long I'll be subjected to the Hymn Sing, but I'll have to be sure to put an end to it so I can at least get to Chapel Hill by the early 9.00 pm hour ...

Advent Wreath from the Curt Jester

Thanks to a tip from Ebeth, I noticed a beautiful Advent wreath from the Curt Jester. He kindly provides the code for this beautiful wreath, which you can "borrow" for the sidebars of your own blogs. He'll replace the graphic each week so as to show the correct number of candles lit for each week of Advent. I'm pretty sure it'll work for most blogging programs. He also provides code that will countdown the days to Christmas below the wreath. Thanks for sharing this, Jeff!

Service Music based on Hymntunes

To my fellow Ministers of Music: I present to you a topic for discussion. I thought of this as I was preparing the music I'll be playing for Immaculate Conception's Saturday 5.30 pm Vigil Mass. I noticed that the entire Entrance Rite will be set to music, specifically a new setting with text by Alan Hommerding and music by Paul French. French incorporated themes from CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM throughout the piece. Antiphon, Entrance Hymn, the priest's Greeting, and the Penitential Rite pretty much go on continuously, and ends with the people singing a two-note Amen to conclude the Penitential Rite. It's a 13-page octavo published by World Library Publications.

Then I noted that the rest of the service music programmed comes from Richard Proulx' Missa Emmanuel. I'm sure you can infer from the name of the Mass setting that it incorporates themes from VENI, EMMANUEL.

As a side note, I've programmed for St Joseph's the Trisagion, Sanctus, and Fraction Anthem (Agnus Dei) from Proulx' Missa Oecumenica, with themes from Russian Orthodox chant.

To be honest, I'm not sure if I would have programmed the Hommerding/French and Proulx' Missa Emmanuel for Advent, or at least, not the two together. Unless I want the congregation to be oversaturated with these hymntunes, I would be quite hesitant to program either "Creator of the Stars of Night" or "O Come O Come Emmanuel" during Advent.

So, here is where I'd love to hear your opinions. What do you think of the musical settings I've listed above? Do you think it would help or hinder your choice of other Advent hymns and other music to go along with them? Would you have programmed this music together, as will be done at IC, or would you have chosen different settings?

Please feel free to leave your comments in the combox.

Ahhh, Thanksgiving.

I was invited to a friend's house in Hillsborough for Thanksgiving dinner today. It was a nice gathering with others ... with the adults downstairs and the kids upstairs doing their thing. It was really nice to be immersed in Tagalog - I had to reassure people there that I could understand Tagalog and even encouraged them to speak Tagalog in my presence.

So we had lots of food, fun, and fellowship. Some of the people present had first met in Texas, where they were newly arrived nurses from the Philippines. Over the years, they kept in touch, and this group ended up in North Carolina, scattered around the Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill ... Hillsborough is north of Chapel Hill btw).

Oh, I'm sure you'll want to know what was on the table. There was truly the typical Thanksgiving fare: turkey, ham, 2 different gravies to go along with them, an interesting salad, dressed with broken ramen noodle pieces, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, and a simple dressing made up of carmelised sugar, pepper, and soya sauce ... mashed sweet potato, a grits/cheese/sausage casserole, some other casserole that was a little on the sweet side ... a really nice broccoli casserole. There were plenty of desserts: bibingkang kassava, Filipino style fruit salad, a really nice buko salad, apple and pumpkin pies, tiramisu ...

My contribution to the whole thing: I brought pomelo-flavoured Tang and mixed it there. It was definitely a hit. Too bad Tang doesn't make wonderful flavours like that available in the US. Mine came from the Philippines.

In the meantime ... there are things to be thankful for. At least I have a roof over my head, I can put food on the table, and I can ensure the car has gas to get me places. Plus, I have friends around me, and the family who are not so close geographically, but can always be reached by picking up the phone or even shooting a message or two via Facebook or MySpace.

Well. The food is digesting, and I'm looking forward to preparing for my three services over the weekend. I play the Saturday 5.30 pm Vigil Mass and cantor the Sunday morning 7.45 am Mass at Immaculate Conception, and then I look forward to working with my choir at St Joseph's as they sing the first of 4 specially chosen anthems for the Advent season Sunday morning at the 10.30 am service. They will also be vesting for the first time in at least 2 years. I have already received overwhelmingly positive comments concerning the choir's vesting. So we're taking little steps.

Yes, that is another thing to be thankful for - I have the wonderful opportunity to work with talented, dedicated people in my choir. We're learning together.

23 November - Feast of Christ the King - Proper 29

Here are my usual lists of music.

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

The Feast of Christ the King: Rite II
Prelude: Selections from Missa Oecumenica (R. Proulx)*
Pro: 494, Crown him with many crowns (DIADEMATA)
Song of Praise: S-236 (Benedictus es, Domine; J. Rutter)
Psalm: Psalm 100 (Ford, plainsong Mode 1)
Seq: 609, Where cross the crowded ways of life (GARDINER)
Off: 377, All people that on earth do dwell (OLD 100TH)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-167, The disciples knew the Lord Jesus (M. Martens; Mode 6)
Comm: 460, Alleluia! sing to Jesus! (HYFRYDOL)
Re: 544, Jesus shall reign where'er the sun (DUKE STREET)
Postlude: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (P. Manz)

* I'm doing it again - the sort of "subliminal" planting of music into peoples' brains. I am planning to introduce Proulx' Missa Oecumenica for the service music for Advent. Hopefully by the time we get to the First Sunday of Advent, the people will have the tune in their minds. I'm not worried about the Sanctus, which has the tune based on 560 from the hymnal (BEATITUDES, based on Russian Orthodox chant), but hopefully they'll have the tune for the Trisagion and the Agnus Dei in mind (based on Archangelsky's tune).

Next week, we start in on this service music. Hopefully the melodies are burnt into the peoples' brains ... but at least they will have four Sundays with this music.


The Episcopal Centre at Duke University. This is the last "regular" service of the semester as the next time we come together, which will be on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, we will be celebrating Advent Lessons and Carols. Speaking of which - if you're in the area, and if you're not planning to go to the Duke Chapel Choir's third performance of Handel's Messiah at Duke Chapel, please consider coming to the Episcopal Centre, located right next to Campus Police, and across the street from the Ronald McDonald House on Alexander St. It will start at 5.00 pm, and we eventually end with a hymn sing. There should be enough merriment to send the students off into their final exams and the Christmas hols.

The Feast of Christ the King: Rite II
Prelude: Improvisation on Old 100th
Pro: 494, Crown him with many crowns (DIADEMATA)
Gloria: S-278 (Mathias)
Psalm: Ps 123, recited
Seq: 609, Where cross the crowded ways of life (GARDINER)
Off: 377, All people that on earth do dwell (OLD 100TH)
Sanctus: S-128 (Mathias)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Comm: WLP 831, Ubi Caritas (Taizé)
Re: 544, Jesus shall reign where'er the sun (DUKE STREET)
Postlude: Improvisation on Hyfrydol

Yes. The postlude was done by request. :)


Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

I was exceedingly happy that I was able to sing Compline! I sang with the altos since I certainly didn't have the soprano range back. Thanks again to Ali for providing the lists of music while I was away.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Domine fac mecum (Thomas Morley)
Psalms 31 and 134 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: To you before the close of day (TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM, plainsong Mode 8)
In manus tuas (Sheppard; sung in addition to "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit ...)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Tomas Luis de Victoria)
Organ Voluntary by the equally abfab Van Quinn.


Van improvised on themes from both Salve Regina, as well as the hymn "To you before the close of day". This will be the last week we'll be chanting the Salve Regina as the antiphon changes to Alma Redemptoris Mater. We'll be chanting this up until Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.

I was feeling quite nostalgic as I listened to Van's improvisation. It made me realise how much I miss singing with the Senior Choir. I even mentioned it to Van, and his response: "I wish you could win the Lottery so that you can come back to us."

My voice still isn't back to normal, but at least it's definitely on the mend. I should be able to cantor at Immaculate Conception next Sunday morning. Until then ... to my American readers, have a Happy Thanksgiving, and we'll see you on the First Sunday of Advent.

Catching Up with the Organ-ic Chemist, Ver. 3.0

This is my third such post. (And oh, how appropriate that I have a Depeche Mode song playing in the background whilst typing this up ... especially as they released an album with a similar title ...)

Yes, I didn't post much, if anything this week. See that sweet four-legged creature on the right? I can always blame it on her. She answers to the name Opening-Night de la Grande Lande. She's a Belgian (Tervuren) Shepherd. She is very affectionate, and I had a lovely time sitting with her whilst her mummy was in California, visiting family and friends.

Since I was so remiss in my posting this week, I have a slew of them here, plus one writing-related post on LJ.

Here they are, in reverse chronological order.

• Ahhh, Salabat!
• Concert Program - Andy Lang, organ
• 16 November - 27th Sunday After Pentecost - Proper 28
• Monday, Monday

Note: the picture was borrowed from Cadre Noir. Check them out, if only to ooh and aah at their photo gallery. And yes, you can see some of Opening Night's progeny.

Ahhhh, Salabat!

Last night at St Joseph's, I hosted a rehearsal of the service choir for the Simbang Gabi Mass that will take place at Immaculate Conception Church on Friday, Dec 19 at 7.00 pm. It was so cold and miserable outside that I started feeling a bit nostalgic for the times I sang with the Simbang Gabi choir at my home parish (St Charles) in San Diego. Choir call was at 4.30 am, and as I got to the church, one of the choristers would press a nice steaming cup of hot salabat into my cold hands. Salabat, by the way, is Filipino Ginger Tea. It's great for throat ailments and the like.

It is really simple to make. Before I opened up the church, I was in the parish kitchen, putting this together. I will admit that I guessed on the amounts, but all the compliments I received after choir practice told me that I did well. And, everyone was very surprised at how easy it was to make.

Salabat (Filipino Ginger Tea)

Approximately 4 oz ginger
8 cups water
1.5 cups brown sugar, packed

Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil, and then simmer.

Choir practice lasted for about 2 hours, and so the salabat was simmering over that period of time. I guessed on the sugar. I'd say start off with about a cup and then adjust upward from there. It was very soothing.

Speaking of Simbang Gabi ... please indulge my pimpage here. (Okay, bad choice of words, but anyway ...)

Here is a poster that advertises our Simbang Gabi Mass. If you're in the Central NC area and would like to experience this piece of Filipino Catholic culture, please do try to come 'round for this.

Concert Program - Andy Lang, organ

This was the second Bach's Lunch that I was able to attend this semester. It is also the last Bach's Lunch of the Fall Semester.

Andy Lang is the Director of the Office and Arts and Sciences Information Services ( OASIS) at UNC Chapel Hill, and also an organist. Here is what he played:

Dietrich Buxtehude: Præludium in C, BuxWV 136
J. S. Bach: Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 662
Larry Visser: Two Chorale Preludes on Lobe den Herren

• Ornamented chorale
• In Organo pleno

Jean-Adam Guilain: Suite du Deuxième ton

• Plein Jeu
• Tierce en taille
• Duo
• Basse de trompette
• Flûtes
• Dialogue

I'd never heard of Mr Lang, I'll admit. He said he usually goes to St Philip's Episcopal Church in Durham, so I figured the connection was through a mutual friend of ours, Eddie A., who is the Organist/Choirmaster there. But he did a wonderful job, and I particularly liked the Visser, as well as the Guilain. I thought his tempo on the Bach Leipzig chorale was a little slow, but then again, the friends I've heard play this (well, really as they were learning it) were taking it at a slightly faster tempo.

It's funny, when I saw Visser's name, I immediately thought of a quote I had placed on my Facebook page that goes like this:

Ed: "How many organists are there?"
Visser: "About half of them, Ed; the rest are note machines."

And that was something I got off one of the organ-centred listservs I subscribe to.

Well. I certainly hope to run into Mr Lang at other organ-related events in the area.

16 November - 27th Sunday After Pentecost - Proper 28

I haven't been blogging for a while, and so now I am playing catch up.

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

The Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Rite II
Prelude: Selections from Missa Oecumenica (R. Proulx)*
Pro: 9, Not for high and holy things (MORNING SONG)
Song of Praise: S-236 (Benedictus es, Domine; J. Rutter)
Psalm: Psalm 123 (Guimont)
Seq: 536, Open your ears, O faithful people (YISRAEL V'ORAITA)**
Off: 59, Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding (MERTON)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-167, The disciples knew the Lord Jesus (M. Martens; Mode 6)
Comm: 490, I want to walk as a child of the light (HOUSTON)
Re: 551, Rise up, ye saints of God! (FESTAL SONG)
Postlude: Voluntary in F Major, Op. 7, No. 10 (J. Stanley)

* I'm doing it again - the sort of "subliminal" planting of music into peoples' brains. I am planning to introduce Proulx' Missa Oecumenica for the service music for Advent. Hopefully by the time we get to the First Sunday of Advent, the people will have the tune in their minds. I'm not worried about the Sanctus, which has the tune based on 560 from the hymnal (BEATITUDES, based on Russian Orthodox chant), but hopefully they'll have the tune for the Trisagion and the Agnus Dei in mind (based on Archangelsky's tune). Variations on this theme will be my prelude music for the next four Sundays.

** It's funny. Once I realised I programmed this piece, I started laughing. We discussed this in a workshop led by the very affable Rev. Dr. Richard Pfaff, who is a priest-associate at Chapel of the Cross and also Professor Emeritus at UNC Chapel Hill's History department. We were discussing the structure of this hymn, and those in attendance admit they've not heard it used much in church services. And yet, here I was, programming it for St Joseph's. Because of the way the sequence hymn is divided at St Joseph's (all by the last verse is sung as sequence whilst the very last verse is sung as the Gospel Procession processes back to the chancel), I had the very acute sense that I didn't exactly choose the sequence hymn very well. The message of the hymn was quite incongruous with that of the Gospel (the slaves and the talents, Mt 25:14-30). Oh well. Better luck next time?

Despite my self-chastisement, I did receive compliments from people, and much to my surprise, the one hymn they all were exceedingly happy to sing was that sequence hymn. I guess I'll say no more. I must be hard to please.


The Episcopal Centre at Duke University

The Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Rite II
Prelude: Voluntary in F Major, Op. 7 No. 10 (Largo Staccato; J. Stanley)
Pro: 9, Not for high and holy things (MORNING SONG)
Gloria: S-278 (Mathias)
Psalm: Ps 123, recited
Seq: 536, Open your ears, O faithful people (YISRAEL V'ORAITA)**
Off: 59, Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding (MERTON)
Sanctus: S-128 (Mathias)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Comm: WLP 831, Ubi Caritas (Taizé)
Re: 551, Rise up, ye saints of God! (FESTAL SONG)
Postlude: Voluntary in F Major, Op. 7 No. 10 (Vivace; J. Stanley)


Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

For the third week in a row, I had to get the list from one of my fellow Compline choristers as I was still battling laryngitis. The voice is there, but the singing voice ... let's say that I could probably sing a very limited tenor if I was lucky. Many thanks to Ali C. for providing the list.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

O Lord, the maker (at ca. 5m 10s; William Mundy)
Psalm 91 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: Christ, mighty Saviour (CHRISTE, LUX MUNDI, plainsong Mode 7)
In manus tuas (Sheppard; sung in addition to "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit ...)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Robert Parsons)
Organ Voluntary by the abfab David Arcus.

Thanks again, Ali! As of this writing, the laryngitis is clearing up, and I am able to sing ... the question is, will I be an alto or a soprano come Sunday? I suppose we'll find out then ...

Spaghetti Magic in the Kitchen

This morning, I decided to have a look at my pantry to see what I have on the shelves, as well as poke through my freezer and see what items I have lurking in there. Everything I used in this recipe, I was able to pull from my kitchen. It makes plenty enough to feed an army ... or myself for quite a while. And it's easy, too.

Spaghetti

1 medium onion, diced
As many cloves of garlic as you can stand (I used 5. I'd say no less than 2.)
3/4 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 large can stewed Italian style tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
Approx. 1/4-1/3 c water (I used that to rinse the tomato paste can)
1/4 tsp sugar
Salt, pepper to taste
red pepper flakes (optional)
1 lb package of spaghetti

In a large pot, bring water to boil and follow package instructions on preparing the spaghetti noodles.

In another pot, cover the bottom surface with olive oil. Add the sausage and brown, breaking it up into pieces with the back of a wooden spoon or a fork. When browned, remove to another plate, but leave the drippings in the pan. Add the red pepper flakes, if desired, and then add the onions and saute over medium heat until softened. Add the garlic, raise the heat to high, and saute for about a minute or so. Add the sausage back into the pot and heat for a minute or two. Add the stewed tomatoes, liquid and all, and break up with the wooden spoon or fork. Then add, stirring slowly, the tomato paste, and when incorporated, add the water to the can to rinse it out and add the rinse to the pot. Add the sugar and stir. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and if you wish, add some dried herbs such as oregano, basil, etc.

Drain the spaghetti, and then add to the pan and incorporate. Add a bit of the pasta water if everthing seems a bit too dry. Heat for a couple of minutes more and remove from heat. If you wish to add fresh herbs, now is the time to do it - for example, freshly chopped basil, oregano, parsley, etc. (I happen to have these herbs growing downstairs so it's easy for me to harvest what I need.)

Serve immediately.

Concert Program - Thomas Bloom, organ

This was the first Bach's Lunch that I was able to attend this semester.

Tom Bloom is a regular at these Bach's Lunches, and he gave a wonderful program. Here is what he played:

Pierre du Mage: Livre d'Orgue [1708]

• Plein Jeu
• Fugue
• Trio
• Tierce en Taille
• Basse de Trompette
• Récit
• Duo
• Grand Jeu

François-Clément Théodore Dubois: Douze Pièces [1889]: 12. Grand Choeur

He gave a nice performance of the du Mage, very well executed and articulated. As for the Dubois: hearing the zimbelstern at the end was a pleasant surprise, but I wish Tom wasn't so conservative in his registration. Otherwise, he gave a wonderful 30 minute recital, as he usually does.

9 November - 26th Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 27

***sniffle sniffle***

I'm still feeling a little sick. Because my voice is not completely back, I've had to back out of cantoring the 7.45 am Mass for Immaculate Conception Church. Here is the music that was done there. As usual, the numbers come out of GIA's Gather Comprehensive 1994 (green cover):

Sunday 7.45 am Mass: The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Gloria: 176 (Andrews)
Gospel Acclamation: 257, Alleluia 7 (Berthier).
Sanctus, Mem. Accl., Amen, Agnus Dei: Mass of Light

Pro: 662, Christ is made the sure foundation (ST THOMAS (Wade))
Psalm: 78, Psalm 84 (Gelineau)
Off: 771, Jerusalem, my happy home (LAND OF REST)
Comm: Organist's Voluntary
Re: 568, Father, we thank thee, who hast planted (RENDEZ À DIEU)


St. Joseph's Episcopal Church where I played my usual 10.30 am service. As usual, numbers are out of The Hymnal 1982.

The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Rite II
Prelude: Selections from Missa Oecumenica (R. Proulx)*
Pro: 11, Awake my soul, and with the sun (MORNING HYMN)
Song of Praise: S-236 (Benedictus es, Domine; J. Rutter)
Psalm: Psalm 78 (Guimont)
Seq: 61, "Sleepers, wake!" A voice astounds us (WACHET AUF)
Off: 195, Jesus lives! thy terrors now (MOWSLEY)
Sanctus: S-125, Community Mass (Proulx)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Fraction Anthem: S-167, The disciples knew the Lord Jesus (M. Martens; Mode 6)
Comm: 324, Let all mortal flesh keep silence (PICARDY, with descant by J. Clokey)
Re: 436, Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates (TRURO)
Postlude: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (F. Mendelssohn)**

* I'm doing it again - the sort of "subliminal" planting of music into peoples' brains. I am planning to introduce Proulx' Missa Oecumenica for the service music for Advent. Hopefully by the time we get to the First Sunday of Advent, the people will have the tune in their minds. I'm not worried about the Sanctus, which has the tune based on 560 from the hymnal (BEATITUDES, based on Russian Orthodox chant), but hopefully they'll have the tune for the Trisagion and the Agnus Dei in mind (based on Archangelsky's tune). Variations on this theme will be my prelude music for the next four Sundays.

** I was accompanied by Rob on bass guitar. Unusual, yes? But it's working out between us, and Rob was quite happy that I asked him to play alongside me. I'm working out some other pieces in which we can play together.

The Episcopal Centre at Duke University

The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Rite II
Prelude: Selections from Missa Oecumenica (R. Proulx)*
Pro: 11, Awake my soul, and with the sun (MORNING HYMN)
Gloria: S-278 (Mathias)
Psalm: Ps 78, recited
Seq: 61, "Sleepers, wake!" A voice astounds us (WACHET AUF)
Off: 195, Jesus lives! thy terrors now (MOWSLEY)
Sanctus: S-128 (Mathias)
Lord's Prayer: chanted (S-119 in Hymnal 1982)
Comm: WLP 831, Ubi Caritas (Taizé)
Re: 436, Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates (TRURO)
Postlude: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (F. Mendelssohn)

Compline at Chapel of the Cross.

For the second week in a row, I had to get the list from one of my fellow Compline choristers as I had a sore throat and didn't have much of a singing voice. It also sounds like I wasn't the only one out sick - Ali tells me that there were 14 men and 4 women present (!!!!). I'm sure they managed despite the reduced treble voice ranks. Many thanks to Ali C. for providing the list.

We've been using the Order for Compline, as set by David Hurd.

Here are our little additions:

Domine fac mecum (Thomas Morley)
Psalms 31 and 134 (chanted to Tone 8)
Hymn: To you before the close of day (TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM, plainsong Mode 8)
In manus tuas (Sheppard; sung in addition to "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit ...)
Nunc Dimittis from Short Service (O. Gibbons)
Salve Regina (Marian antiphon right after the Dismissal)
Ave Maria (Tomas Luis de Victoria)
Organ Voluntary by the equally abfab Van Quinn.

Thanks again, Ali! As of this writing, the sore throat is almost gone, but laryngitis is still there, so I, in all likelihood, will probably not be singing this Sunday's Compline service. But I again will endeavour to get the music for this Sunday so I can report it in this space, as usual ... with a little help from my friends.