Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

A collaboration with Jack Miller, this is my baseline acoustic rendition which I sent to Jack. He will provide further input on lyrics, and will contribute instrumental additions and perhaps vocal harmony. We'll see how the song shapes up!

Christ Was Born on Christmas Day – Resonet in Laudibus. 13th century Latin hymn. Freely translated by John Mason Neale. Led by Amanda, Jack and Richard at the Church of St. Mary on 12/25/2016.

Christ was born on Christmas Day;
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay;
Christus natus hodie:
The Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary.

He is born to set us free,
He is born our Lord to be,
Ex Maria Virgine:
The God, the Lord, by all...  Read Full Story >>>

It is Your Presence

Captivating arrangements, ethereal vocals and the soulful sounds of old world instruments such as the duduk make this remarkable Christmas album a must have for the holiday playlist.  Veteran producer Michael Crittenden composed serene arrangements to match the peaceful, celestial tones of soprano vocalist Abigail Winzer who reimagines Christmas classics that celebrate the Blessed Birth of Jesus Christ.  International sacred music sensation, Arsen Petrosyan, shows why he is considered the heir apparent to the throne of Armenian Duduk music.  Often referred to as the “shepherds flute”, the combination of the soulful sounds of Arsen’s duduk and the celestial voice of Abigail seem to carry the listener back in time to Bethlehem.  Arsen and Abigail’s approach to “O Come O Come Emanuel” and “Silent Night” is simply stunning and one can easily understand why Peter Gabriel and Sting have incorporated this alluring ancient instrument into their music.  For the remaining songs, Michael adds layers of Irish Harp, Irish Whistle, soprano, alto and tenor recorder consort and lute through the artistry of Celtic musician James Spalink, which gives the remaining songs an ardent sense of character and bliss.  In addition to producing, Michael, an accomplished musician as well as producer, contributes as a musician on piano and acoustic guitar.

“Rejoice” is a soothing, peaceful Christmas album which will give the listener a chance to unwind and reflect on the reason for the season.  “Rejoice” can be purchased at iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and Google Play as well as many retail outlets.  Listen to “Rejoice” on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Groove Music and iHeart Radio among over 90 other music streaming sites.

Here is a link to a free...  Read Full Story >>>

I am excited about a new album recently released by Michael Corsini. Michael's vocals are unprocessed, honest and intimate. His excellent acoustic guitar strums and arpeggios provide the only instrumental backing. All songs are wonderfully balanced and rich in Spirit. This gives me the same good feeling that I used to get listening to songs by Michael Johnson. The added benefit here is that we can absorb words anticipating the birth of Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this album. Visit Michael at www.michaelcorsini.com - Richard Schletty, TCS editor. 

Michael Corsini's bio at www.michaelcorsini.com

I am a husband and father. This animates everything I do. I am also an artist, musician, speaker and retreat leader. The art and music that I make is an extension of my family life. Much of my work is often created during time spent with my children! I believe that the mission of my art and music is to help all people experience the powerful love of God through an authentic encounter with beauty.

I have a Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration from Ringling School of Art and Design and a Master of Sacred Theology from the John Paul II Institute in D.C. I also spent five years as a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

I have created many works of art and finished many restorations. I am a...  Read Full Story >>>

Like a Shepherd. Text: Isaiah, Ezekiel, Matthew; Bob Dufford, SJ. Tune: Bob Dufford, SJ; acc. by Sr. Theophane Hytrek, OSF. (c) 1976, Robert J. Dufford, SJ, and OCP.

REFRAIN: Like a shepherd He feeds his flock
and gathers the lambs in His arms,
holding them carefully close to His heart, 
leading them home.

Say to the cities of Judah:
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Go to the mountaintop, lift your...  Read Full Story >>>

Holy Is His Name, composed by John Michael Talbot. Copyright © 1980 Birdwing Music. Performed by Richard Schletty. Mosaic altarpiece is located at the Church of St. Mary in downtown St. Paul. 261 E. 8th St.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
And my spirit exults in God my Savior
For He has looked with mercy on...  Read Full Story >>>

Child of Eternal Love was released on a wonderfully diverse Christmas album by Fetal Records called "A Colorful Christmas" in October of 2015. You can find the song at iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon Music and Spotify. You may preview the song from this page.

Digital download of the album is available now, direct from Fetal Records.

A Colorful Christmas is a collection of Christmas songs, original and covers, in multiple genres by a diverse group of passionate and inspiring artists with different backgrounds. Featuring Internationally known bluesman Charlie Sayles, Tony Fazio, Scott Taylor, Richard Schletty, Greg Phillips, Subsidiarity, Law & Order, Ken Wenzel, and Jane Kraemer. “If you build it, they will come.” And so they came and came in force. Twelve originals and six traditional covers.

If you would like the sheet music for song, write to me. I'd love to have someone perform it.

Lead guitar: Alberto Ayuso Domingo. Rhythm guitar: David Gomez Sanz. Piano: André van Haren. Vocals: Richard Schletty.

Child of Eternal Love

[verse 1]
God, in glory, brings a star so bright.
A Son is born in a bed of barley hay.
Behold the Savior, our New Light,
Child of Eternal Love, Shepherd of...  Read Full Story >>>

Sean Clive writes:

Thanksgiving Songs and thoughts...

Easter Song by Glad - Thanks be to God for the Resurrection!

Artist by Ben Calhoun - Thanks be to God for His creation - for creating us and loving us and holding us in being!

Remember Me by Sean Clive - Thanks be to God for the true "Thanksgiving" = the Eucharist

Preview 10 more Thanksgiving songs...  Read Full Story >>>

Below are some excerpts from today's email newsletter from Virtual Sheet Music. My friend and orchestral collaborator, André van Haren, does Sibelius engravings for Fabrizio Ferrari at VSM. I assure you that the music scores from this company are meticulously prepared according to strict "house rules" (style sheets). And the practice videos are awesome. They feature concert pianist Lisa Maresch and are directed by pro audio engineer Raj Lathigara. A unique interactive video player allows you to easily speed up and slow down the tempo of the piano accompaniment audio/video track and set up loops and markings while reading your scrolling solo instrument part within the same video. The perfect tool for practice or live music performances! – Richard Schletty, Top Catholic Songs editor

Latest Sheet Music and News (November 13)

New music has been added to the Virtual Sheet Music site.

Many of our users have not discovered our entire catalog yet, so here is the link: virtualsheetmusic.com/Downloads.html

New Premium High Quality Sheet Music

These are high quality, downloadable and printable digital sheet music titles by Virtual Sheet Music® offered in PDF file format complete of audio MIDI and Mp3 files. Most of these items also include...  Read Full Story >>>

From GIA Publications:

Singing Our Faith—Second Edition

A comprehensive resource designed to aid all who prepare children for liturgy, and liturgy for children.

Hymnal: Singing Our Faith–Second Edition is an exciting mix of great music, diverse styles, and broad scope—the ultimate resource for young people, kindergarten through eighth grade. Singing Our Faith is truly a book kids can grow with—not out of—on their journey to be full participants in Sunday worship.

Leader's/Catechist's Manual: The Leader/Catechist Manual provides a wealth of information on sound liturgical principles by leading experts on liturgies with children. Noted pastoral musicians offer...  Read Full Story >>>

Nick Alexander here...

This is a list of my favorite Thanksgiving songs.

1. Thanks by Ceili Rain
2. Give Thanks to the Lord by John Michael Talbot
3. Thank You Lord by Celeste Zepponi

Preview 9 more songs of thanksgiving...  Read Full Story >>>

From Jeff Ostrowski at Corpus Christi Watershed:

Complete Palestrina Edition • Now Online!
published 14 October 2016 by Jeff Ostrowski

Palestrina • Jaw-Dropping "Kyrie" based on a Hymn
published 18 October 2016 by Jeff Ostrowski

The complete works of Palestrina can be downloaded in PDF format, but the clefs are archaic. I promised to show what can be done with these scores and today I fulfill my promise. They can quickly be placed into SIBELIUS, so the archaic clefs are eliminated. Then your singers can more easily enjoy these treasures, many of which have not been sung for centuries! First let's explore:

   PDF Download • KYRIE "Te Saeculorum" (Palestrina)

Two generous young ladies—currently in high school—helped me record it... Read more by clicking story links above.

Click here for six choral pieces for the Feast of Christ the King from GIA Publications.

Selections include:

Concertato on Crown Him with Many Crowns
Arr. Richard Proulx
A powerful and harmonically adventurous arrangement that will enhance your congregation's singing.

Choral Fanfare for Christ the King
H. Hamilton Smith
With familiar Christ the King texts from Psalm 71:8 and Daniel 7:14, this masterpiece is a powerhouse that allows you to use...  Read Full Story >>>