My Soul Is Longing for Your Peace by Lucien Deiss. Text and music © 1965 WLP. I prefer the lower key of D (the top recording). The original key of F follows (the bottom recording). Which version do you like? I think a lot of church songs are written in keys that are too high for average voices. In this case, my WLP We Celebrate guitar edition has alternate capo 3 chords, so I played those chords without the capo and that transposed it down one-and-a-half steps (F to D). The problem is that the pianist does not always have the skills to play in the lower key unless they prepare ahead of time. Some keyboardists are able to "play by ear" or calculate transposed chords on the fly. Of course, it wouldn't be a problem with a transposing keyboard or organ...

I thought it would be interesting to view the Frequency Spectrum of Wave PCM signed 32 bit, 48 kHz, 3072 kbit/sec Audio files I used to create a Playlist on YouTube of my new Album.  Below you will find a Color Visualization of that Playlist.  I hope you enjoy watching and listening to it.  MTR

I'm a #Catholic #Folk #SingerSongwriter. Coming soon to the iTunes Store: "A Cup of Cold Water - Catholic". Search Catholic, Album. MTR pic.twitter.com/0J2o1OKii5

— MTR (@MikeResch) February 18, 2017

Today's spotlight album is Adoration by Ken Whisler. The performances of these traditional Sacred, Gospel and Worship songs are particularly striking in Classical guitar artistry. They help center your mind and soul. Ken, a brilliant musician and part-time luthier, recorded these beautiful pieces at St. James Catholic Church in midtown Kansas City. – Richard Schletty, TCS editor

Ken's website: www.kenwhisler.com
Ken's album is available here:
Adoration album at CDBaby
Adoration album at iTunes

Album Notes by Ken Whisler (from CDBaby)
I have had this idea in my head for almost three decades. Only in the last two years have the ideas materialized on paper, to my fingers, and then to my guitar. No doubt many classical guitar enthusiasts will associate this project with what has already been done by Rick Foster and Christopher Parkening, and that is all well and fine with me. I think that the reason why it took me so long to record my own album of sacred music is that... 

Praise and Thanksgiving. Text: Albert F. Bayly. Tune: BUNESSAN. 

BUNESSAN is a Gaelic tune that was first published (melody only) in Lachlan Macbean's Songs and Hymns of the Gael (1888) as a setting for Mary Macdonald's carol "Child in the Manger." The tune is named after Macdonald's birthplace on the Isle of... 

Responsorial Psalm for 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. Text: Verses, The Revised Grail Psalms, © 2010, Conception Abbey and The Grail, admin. by GIA Publications, Inc.; refrain, Lectionary for Mass, © 1969, 1981, 1997, ICEL. Music: Michel Guimont, verses © 2011, refrain © 1994, GIA Publications, Inc.

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

A message I received from St. James Music Press:

St. James Music Press is now featuring two "top-selling" anthems each week that you may download without becoming a subscriber. If you choose to use one or both, the cost is $10 (per anthem). Just send a check by mail to St. James Music Press. Then make whatever copies you need and put it in your library. Yes, it's the honor system. They trust you.

Details here: $10 Anthem Program
St. James Music Press website: www.sjmp.com/catalog

You will enjoy listening to these dramatic and spirited "readings" (demo performances) of music written by composer Sandro Fazzolari. The recordings feature members of Teatro Alla Scala (La Scala): Principals Sandro Laffranchini (1st Cellist) and Mario Marzi (1st Saxophonist). Sandro Fazzolari at piano.

My friend, composer and arranger André van Haren, does engraving work for Sandro for his instrument learning books for students of all ages. 

Allmusicalkind Music Books YouTube Channel
Allmusicalkind Music Publisher website

Allmusicalkind is a Dutch music publisher of Classic & Unique songs composed by Italian-Canadian composer Sandro Fazzolari, Ph.D. Allmusicalkind theme books are available for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. The books are available for several solo instruments that can be performed alone or as a duo with the piano, guitar or harp books of the same title.The SPORTS books also work as a trio with cello.

From publishing company founder Mireille Suyck
The idea for Allmusicalkind arose after having had the honour of meeting the Italian-Canadian composer Sandro Fazzolari. I explained that musicians today needed music that is... 

National Catholic Youth Choir Camp website

• Fun, Faith, Fantastic Music
• Sing with choristers from across the nation
• Sing for famous composers! 
• Sing in the Basilica, Saint John's Abbey and more!

Train with Conductor André Heywood at the beautiful Saint John's Abbey & University in Collegeville, Minnesota... 

What if the music at our parishes was as moving and powerful as the Mass deserves? The David Initiative is a collaboration between many organizations/artists that dream of seeing this question answered. We know that in order to see this hope become a reality, we need to invest in a new generation of music ministers. 

Enter your Catholic parish in this competition to win music equipment or a year of liturgical music mentorship. Details at www.davidinitiative.com.

Music should not be a liturgical afterthought

The Church sees music as an integral part of our worship. Sacrosanctum Concilium tell us: “The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.  The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.” (SC112) 

For more from Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio (Dr. Italy), visit The David Initiative Blog and The Crossroads Initiative. Also, please visit Catholic Creatives. 

This article was first published February 5, 2017, at Corpus Christi Watershed

What: Sacred Music Symposium
When: June 26-30, 2017
Where: St. Therese Church, Alhambra, CA, and San Fernando Mission Church in Mission Hills, CA.

OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS, a resurgence of traditional liturgy has occurred. We’ve documented official decrees, stunning statements, and concrete statistics, but we don’t publicly share the hundreds of messages from Catholics (laymen, priests, and nuns) bearing witness to a breathtaking grassroots movement. The road to improvement—as you realize—can be arduous, but we have some fantastic news.

If you conduct a choir or enjoy singing traditional Catholic music, the Sacred Music Symposium is designed especially for – but certainly not limited to – those in need of “tricks” to help implement the Church’s treasury of sacred music without becoming discouraged. The schedule shows there is something for everybody: tips for starting a children’s choir; advice on repertoire; exploration of hymnody; and so forth.

If you’re interested... 

 

This story was first published at the "Franciscanized World" blog of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Please visit https://franciscanizedworld.fscc-calledtobe.org

Franciscan Lourdes Hymn: Song of Bernadette by Jennifer Warnes and Leonard Cohen

by SISTER JULIE ANN on FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Some songs are timeless. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are pleased to feature once again the collaborative energies of Jennifer Warnes and Leonard Cohen in the beautiful ‘Song of Bernadette’. It is a classic hymn of  exquisite melody and meaningful lyrics. This song is perfect for the celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes this month of February.

 

Listen to the entire Song of Bernadette by clicking here. Go to track 13. Or go to the FSCC blog article here. 

Suggestion: As you listen to the ‘Song of Bernadette’, recall images of Mary that... 

 

A Catholic convert reflects on his unique expression of his faith. This is my friend, Chris Engelmann, who is a dedicated and faith-filled street minister. Chris writes:

"When I came into St. Mark's in 1986, first time I attended Mass here it was very quiet and peaceful, I pulled out my harmonica, and I realized it was a wonderful way for me to... 

I often pray the prayer line "Jesus Mary Joseph I love you save souls."  I hope that Mother Virgin Mary hear my prayer upon Christ and save Holy Souls to heaven.

I made determination for the year 2017 to recite the rosary upon Christ and Sorrowful Mother Mary for everyone whom I know throughout my life.  Please join me in prayer for people I once know in my life.  I'll keep my blog post with information of what my prayer intention in everyday life here.

Love Christ.

Lift up my spirit in you, oh Lord
Holy Spirit speak to my heart
Sinking myself into you
Emerging myself in your love
Only you and me alone is enough, oh Lord.
 
Allow me to love you, oh Lord
Love you with all my heart
Love you with all my soul
For I desire to be with you
With you every moment of my life.
 
I will confront my love with you, oh Lord
For you  within my heart
With all my soul I will follow you
Serve you by serving others
 
We will all be together as one, oh Lord.

Title: Lift Up My Spirit in You
Album: Lift
Track: 1
Composer: Vi Nguyen

I am a #Catholic #Folk #SingerSongwriter inspired by Jesus' Teaching in the Gospel of Matthew 10:42 to give "a cup of cold water" to the least of the brethren for the brethren's sake.  Following this Teaching, I have composed an Album: A Cup of Cold Water to give away for free to anyone who wants to hear it.  As a part of this mission I have joined Top Catholic Songs to make my music available to anyone who wants to listen by Embedding my Album in this Story.

  

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/28MK0bOFmHQ

Sing Yes for the Carpenter (John Bell)

Text: John L. Bell. Tune: SING HEY, Irregular; John L. Bell. (c) 1987, The Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. Sung here by Richard Schletty.

Come with me, come wander, come welcome the world
Where strangers might smile or where stones may be hurled;
Come leave what you cling to, lay down what you clutch
And find, with hands empty, that hearts can hold much.

Sing yes for the carpenter leaving his tools!
Sing yes for Pharisees leaving their rules!
Sing yes for the fishermen leaving their nets!
Sing yes for the people who leave their regrets!

Permission for home recording and publishing granted by GIA Pubications, Inc.

NOVA ORGANI HARMONIA (“NOH”) organ scores were created during WWII by faculty members of the Lemmens Institute (Belgium): Flor Peeters, Msgr. Jules Van Nuffel, Msgr. Jules Vyverman, Marinus de Jong, Gustaaf Nees, Henri Durieux, and Edgard de Laet. All 2,279 pages are available for free download as PDF files at Corpus Christi Watershed: www.ccwatershed.org/nova/

Printed versions of the seven volumes can be purchased at Lulu. See links at bottom of above article at Corpus Christi Watershed. 

Here is a small sampling of these Latin chants in the Nova Organi Harmonia series:

Vol. 1 • p003 — Ad Te Levavi
Vol. 1 • p004 — Universi Qui Te Expectant
Vol. 1 • p005 — ALLELUIA Ostende Nobis
Vol. 1 • p350 — Canticum Zachariae C
Vol. 1 • p351 — Canticum Zachariae D
Vol. 1 • p352 — Et valde mane una sabbatorum...