This free online Berklee songwriting course is open for registration. This course is worth hundreds of dollars. Two of my co-members belonging to the Minnesota Association of Songwriters have completed the online course and highly recommend it. The instructor is Pat Pattison, whose songwriting workshop I attended in Minneapolis-Saint Paul a couple years ago. He was very instructive. If you want to improve your songwriting ability, you will learn something from this course! A new session for this course called "Songwriting" starts on April 28 2014. – Richard Schletty Songwriting https://www.coursera.org/course/songwriting Learn an efficient, effective process for writing songs that express your ideas and emotions, including a range of tools that revolve around the concept of prosody—the matching of lyrics and music to support your underlying message.

Here's a tip from Nick Alexander sent to CatholicMusicMinistries Yahoo group

Hi all!
There seems to be a new video course that's being made by Michael Hyatt.  As I watched the first video, my mind went to CAM.  Indeed, this is exactly what CAM needs to hear.
We at CAM have a message and a passion to get our music out there, and we are often held back due to gatekeepers (music publishers, record companies, the dearth of Catholic radio opportunities), along with our desire to juggle our personal and family lives along with our dream. 

Check out the results of Nick Alexander's Top Lenten Hymns:

1. Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
2. I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say
3. Adoramus Te, Christe
4. There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy
5. The Glory of These Forty Days
6. Forty Days and Forty Nights
7. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
8. Attende Domine (tie)
9. Rock of Ages (tie)
10. Take Up Thy Cross (tie)

Recommended article: Beyond Ashes by Simcha Fisher:
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/simcha-fisher/beyond-ashes

Adam Miller of the metal band Katholicus sent admin Richard Schletty info about this groundbreaking project:

Via Crucis is a collaborative project with Catholic Metal artists providing a unique musical setting for the Way of the Cross. The album consists of 14 songs of varying styles of metal from eight Catholic artists. Each song corresponds to one of the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross devotion. The listener will journey with Jesus from His condemnation to His death on the cross to His burial in the tomb. Each song is unique in its style and interpretation of the particular station. In between each song, a stanza of the Stabat Mater is performed in imitation of the traditional devotion of the Way of the Cross. The Stabat Mater is a hymn to the Sorrowful Mother (Mary) and is often sung by stanza between each meditation of the particular event or station of the Way of the Cross.

The contributing Catholic Metal artists on the album:

Katholicus: Infectious power rock/metal with passages of soaring guitars
Cradle Catholic: Latin prayer metal band with gothic and death metal overtones
Last Rites: Progressive thrash metal band with classical music underpinnings
Seven Sorrows: High energy blend of punk and metal
Dave Flitton: Composer and guitarist for Catholic rock band,
Critical Mass: Dedicated to bringing the Good News of Christ to the youth and young-at-heart.
Malchus: Progressive Death metal band from Poland
Divine Blood: Young industrial metal band from Canada
Theandric: Progressive heavy metal. For this project, provided a reflective acoustic track.

The concept of the album was based on the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori on the Way of the Cross. This album is a great companion during Lent or anytime to center oneself to Christ while living in the world. The CD makes a great gift to anyone who loves metal and wants to live life more fully in their faith. This is a great Catholic alternative to secular metal bands.

Preview and purchase here:
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/viacrucies
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/via-crucis-the-way-of-the-cross/id516386694

Elizabeth Schmeidler wrote to admin Richard Schletty: I want to share this song/video I just uploaded ... to share during Lent. God bless you! Elizabeth Schmeidler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwPWE_lJvlc

Hello all, I just released a 6 song EP with two fellow brothers in Christ entitled "givingUP" yesterday. All the songs are inspired by the work of 3 Christian charities and proceeds will be donated equally to those charities. Please consider picking up a copy and/or spreading the word via social media so we can support the efforts of these worthy causes. While you're there, you can even grab our earlier EP, "littleONES," for free: givingUP album God bless, Matt (aka paradox) http://www.paradoxhiphop.com http://www.facebook.com/paradizzle http://paradoxhiphop.bandcamp.com/ http://soundcloud.com/paradoxhiphop https://twitter.com/paradoxhiphop http://www.youtube.com/paradeezy

Mark at St. James Music Press writes:

Since Holy Week and Easter is just a whistle away, we've just put some new music up on the site. But more than that - our good friend and cohort, Robert Lehman, has composed two short anthems for Holy Week that are yours for the downloading. FREE. (Yes, free.)

The Mandatum - A simple and stunning setting of the text traditionally used for the anthems sung at the footwashing service on Maundy Thursday. If you don't have a footwashing service, still consider these for your Maundy Thursday/Holy Week services. You can sing them at communion as well.

Crux Fidelis (anthem for Good Friday)

https://www.sjmp.com/catalog/music/two-short-anthems-holy-week

And, of course, these are FREE! No charge! Yes, it's true.

You do have to log-in to your account.

Peruse the music and a give them a listen (using the "preview" icon on the right). If you like them, go ahead and download the PDF file, print them out, make as many copies as you need, and use them in good health!

So if you haven't given up good music for Lent, head on over to the site and take a look.

www.sjmp.com

Other NEW Offerings

This Joyful Eastertide - J. William Greene
For Organ - based on the hymn tune Vreuchten. Great for a prelude or postlude anytime during the Easter season.

Good Friday Reproaches - Richard Shephard
Traditionally done during the Good Friday service, here is a new setting with new language from Common Worship (UK). Easily accomplished by a good choir, since everything repeats a number of times. Heart rending and especially effective.

And twenty-five new 2014 offerings for Lent, Palm Sunday, and Easter.

Give us a look. You won't be sorry! A subscription that includes EVERYTHING on the site is still just $139 per year. Yes, everything!

Our best wishes for a Holy Ash Wednesday.

Your friends at St. James Music Press

PS. If you are a user of Facebook, please "like" us: https://www.facebook.com/StJamesMusicPress. We can get a lot of information about new and upcoming works, free music, and events on this page. And, quite frankly, we're very likable!

Contact Us
phone: 877.822.0304
mark@sjmp.com

Here are some podcasts that speak to Catholic music. Please send us links to your favorite music-related podcasts.
 

Sherry posted this at the Yahoo group TopCatholicSongs. Consider giving Deacon Tony a Facebook "like." - Richard Schletty, creative admin



Hi Friends- My musical partner and dear friend Deacon Tony Siino has been doing Parish Missions, speaking engagements and spiritual concerts locally (NY & NJ) for the past 6 years. Ordained in 1991, he is an enthusiastic and dynamic speaker and an outstanding composer of Catholic Christian music. Recently, he was approached by an agency that would like to promote him and take his ministry to the next level. This would be a dream come true for him!! Neither he nor I am not savvy in social media, but we were told that it would help if he created a Facebook page. I am simply asking if you could help promote his ministry by “liking” his page and inviting your friends to like it as well. His page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/DeaconTonySiino If anyone has any suggestions or advice as to how to get him more visibility, please contact us at apostolica@optonline.net God bless you and thank you for your support! God’s Peace- Sherry Ottoson www.apostolicaministries.com

[This note came to me from my friend Luiz in Belem, Brazil. - creative admin R. Schletty] 

From: Richard at holysouls.com

Dear Friend of the Holy Souls,

Just wished to share with you a wonderful discovery I recently made. These 22 very talented and devoted young women (average age in the convent is 28) in Missouri at the Benedictine Priory of "Our Lady of Ephesus". They sing together about 3 hours a day always a capella - without any instruments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSZQceNbZLA&list=PLx4wNcRxFifyfcK6s2-FBeG...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYhfQwxnYw0&list=RDtMF04ErFVaE

...can also search for "Benedictines of Mary"

They are very talented singers, and in 2012 they were number one on national billboards in the category of "Classical Traditional Artist" ! Of course they give all the credit to God the Saints and the Angels !

I sit and listen to them as I work on the Purgatory Project each day and hoped you would be as blessed by their singing as I have been.

May God Bless you and keep you in His perfect peace,
Richard

http://www.holysouls.com/enter.htm to enter your souls living or deceased.

Popple Documentary Visit Popple's web site: http://www.popple.us/

We are happy to announce our new single, "Bring It Back to Soul" - now available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and other sources. Check out this song and our other releases on iTunes:

Streets of Rome Contemporary Catholic/Christian Rock
© 2004, Edward Patrick Mooney
Released: 2014
More songs at https://music.apple.com/us/artist/streets-of-rome/675866674

Nick Alexander writes: I was really taken aback when I heard this song for the first time. It is truly a remarkable achievement by Curtis Stephan, Sarah Hart and Marc Byrd. It's simple, but it's very deep and profound. I cannot endorse this song enough. (Now, only if the spiritandsong gurus provide a way for this MP3 to be made available for purchase...). Addendum by R.Schletty, 2/11/14: Purchase MP3 and sheet music at one of these sources: http://www.spiritandsong.com/search?query=take+up+our+cross http://www.ocp.org/compositions/81117#tab:sheetmusic http://www.amazon.com/Take-Up-Our-Cross/dp/B008PJ3HBW H/T: T.C. Long

CATHOLIC UNDERGROUND (Chicago) is held on the first Thursday of (nearly) every month. It is hosted by the JP2 Newman Center at University of Illinois Chicago, right in the heart of downtown Chicago. It started in September 2008and runs during the academic school year at UIC. It is produced by Spirit Juice Studios Catholic Underground was originally started by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and was a direct response to a call that began with Pope John Paul II, and is continued by Pope Benedict XVI. Pope John Paul II said that because the Gospel lives in conversation with culture, we must be fearless in crossing the cultural threshold of the communication and information revolution now taking place. Each Catholic Underground consists of three parts: PART 1 - Eucharistic adoration, which provides a window for each person to personally encounter Jesus Christ. PART 2 – The showcasing of Catholic artists which includes music, poetry, visual art dancers, film, etc. Here we experience the “new evangelization”. PART 3 - Food and Drinks are provided for fellowship with each other. Here is a video of the band Last Day at Catholic Underground.
H/T: Last Day

A guest post from Dr. Kevin Vost, author of Fit For Eternal Life: A Christian Approach for Working Out, Eating, Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul. (Sophia, 2007).

I was asked for an “ideal workout play list” so voila, here’s mine:

1. Irish Blessing by The Priests from the album The Priests
2. Benedictus by The Priests from the album The Priests
3. Salad Bowl by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
4. Nicene Creed by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
5. Pie Jesu by The Priests from the album The Priests
6. Hip to Be Square by Huey Lewis & The News from the album Greatest Hits: Huey Lewis & The News
7. Cry of the Celts by Ronan Hardiman from the album Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
8. Ave Maria by Kitty Cleveland from the album Sacred Arias
9. I Surrender by Sharmane from the album I Surrender Single
10. Mass No.1 in D Minor for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra: 1. Kyrie by Bernarda Fink, Christoph Prégardien, John Eliot Gardiner, Luba Orgonasova, Monteverdi Choir & Wiener Philharmoniker from the album Bruckner: Mass No. 1 in D Minor & Motets

This list should be good for at least two cardio or strength workouts. The Priests mellow tunes will gently warm you up and then boom, here come Nick’s fast-paced pieces (and Salad Bowl will help you eat right when you’re done). Let the heart rate settle down a bit with the reverent Pie Jesu, and then pump it up again with Hip to be Square. (Sure this one’s secular, but it has a good beat and Huey sings about getting in shape, to boot.) Speaking of boots (or at least dancing shoes), The Cry of the Celts from Lord of the Dance is a high-energy tune for the highest intensity portion of your aerobic session (or strength training set.) Proceed to cool down with Kitty Cleveland’s beautiful Ave Maria, until you are ready to surrender with Sharmane Adams’s I Surrender. Anton Bruckner was a devout Catholic composer of the 19th century and his Mass #1 is hauntingly beautiful and over a half hour long. Listen to it some day when you’re out taking a long walk. May God bless you as you psyche up your minds, pump up your muscles, lift up your hearts (and give your ears a good workout in the process). Kevin Vost, Psy.D.

Nick Alexander here... The King's Men is a great ministry serving the needs of Catholic men. I will be interviewed on their radio show this coming Friday. To support their ministry, I have compiled my personal favorite Catholic songs that call me, as a man, to follow God more ardently as a father, a husband, and a disciple. May these songs also bless you.

1. Despite by Greg Walton from the album I Won't Back Down
2. Change Me by Tom Booth from the album Change Me
3. Just Like You by Matt Maher from the album The End and the Beginning
4. In You by Paul Harrigan from the album Thank You 2
5. Press On by Bob Filoramo from the album My Beacon of Hope
6. Acclamation by Mike Harrison & Greg Walton from the album Spirit of Fire
7. Stand On the Rooftop by Chris Muglia from the album Innocence
8. No More Fear by Aaron Thompson from the album Mystical Radical God
9. Have No Anxiety by Ed Bolduc from the album Word for Word
10. This Time of Forty Days by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated

ETA: The episode was a success. The archive for the interview is available on Holy Spirit Radio's Archive Page.

Nick Alexander here... Every year at this time, special focus is given for January 22, for the national March For Life. This year, the need for support is especially vital, since we are on the cusp of a new historical administration, one which promises a quick passing of the Freedom of Choice Act. To align myself in solidarity with the Pro-Life movement, I have picked ten songs that I consider to contain very powerful sentiments towards the reality of the sanctity of life, in all forms. Please pass these songs along. Thanks!

1. Precious Unborn Child by Margo B. Smith from the album Sending Up a Prayer
2. Whispers from Heaven by Donna Lee from the album Whispers from Heaven
3. Malediction by Atomic Opera from the album Gospel Cola
4. Rock a Bye Bye by Extreme from the album Extreme
5. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Matt Redman from the album Beautiful News
6. It's Not the Time by Kendall Payne from the album Jordan's Sister
7. My Sweet Child by Sally Bolderson from the album Humble Beginnings
8. All My Life by Noel Paul Stookey from the album In Love Beyond Our Lives
9. What Was I Supposed to Be? by Acappella from the album Better Than Life
10. Gianna Molla (Mother's Song) by Fr. Kent O'Connor from the album Saints

Nick Alexander here... This is the Year of St. Paul, and to honor this special time, we are focusing on songs that use the texts of his writings as a basis for songs. This month, we are focusing on St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. As you can see, we have a pretty exhaustive list. This list encompasses all genres, from contemporary Christian, to praise and worship, to liturgical favorites. All of these songs use Philippians as a basis of its text. Enjoy, and be edified.

1. Advent: Introitus Zum Dritten Adventssonntag: Gaudete In Domino Semper by Capella Gregoriana from the album Mystic Gregorian Christmas (Phil 4:4)
2. At the Name of Jesus by Ed Bolduc from the album The Face of God (Phil 2:10-11)
3. At the Name of Jesus (St. Ann Catholic Church Folk Group) by St. Ann Catholic Church Folk Group from the album God In Music City: The Sounds of Religion In Nashville, Tennessee (Phil 2:10-11)
4. Be Anxious for Nothing by Wes Michael from the album Words of Life (Phil 4:6-8)
5. Canticle Philippians by John Michael Talbot from the album Chant from the Hermitage (Phil 2:1-3)
6. Do Not Be Anxious by Word Of God Speak from the album Hope (Phil 4:6-7)
7. Dog 2 God by Wayne Pascall from the album Acappella Scriptures 2 (Phil 3:2)
8. He Who Began a Good Work In You by Renee Bondi from the album Strength for the Journey (Phil 1:6)
9. I Can Do All Things by Renee Bondi from the album Let It Rain (Phil 4:13)
10. I Can Do All Things by Restine Jackson from the album Restine Jackson Live At Living Waters (Phil 4:13)
11. Jehovah-Jireh (Album Version) by Don Moen from the album Give Thanks (Phil 4:19)
12. Jesus Christ Is Lord by Ken Canedo from the album Doxology (Phil 2:5-11)
13. Let Us Have the Mind of Christ by Marty Haugen from the album Only You, O God: Simple Songs for Worship (Phil 2)
14. The Love of the Lord by Michael Joncas from the album God of Life and of the Living (Phil 3:7-9)
15. May the Peace of God by Margaret Becker, Kristyn Getty & Joanne Hogg from the album New Irish Hymns 4 - Hymns for the Life of the Church (Phil 4:7)
16. My God Shall Supply by Word Of God Speak from the album Shelter (Phil 4:19)
17. Only This I Want by Jenny Pixler & Tú-Lan from the album Chon Ngài, Vol. 1 (Phil 3:8)
18. Only This I Want by Who Do You Say I Am from the album Consecrated (Phil 3:8)
19. Peace That Passes Understanding by Wayne Watson from the album How Time Flies (Phil 4:7)
20. Philippians 2 (St. Francis Evening Prayer) by Michael Joncas & The Cathedral Singers from the album As the Deer (Phil 2:5-11)
21. Philippians Canticle by John Michael Talbot from the album Cave of the Heart (Phil 2:1-3)
22. Philippians Canticle by John Michael Talbot from the album Come to the Quiet (Phil 2:1-3)
23. Philippians Canticle (Lenten Chant) by Richard Proulx & The Cathedral Singers from the album More Sublime Chant: The Art of Gregorian, Ambrosian, Gallican, and Sarum Chant (Phil 2:5-11)
24. Press On by Bob Filoramo from the album My Beacon of Hope (Phil 3:14)
25. Rejoice In the Lord by St John's Childrens Choir from the album 100 Bible Songs for Kids (Phil 4:4)
26. Rejoice! by Paul Tate from the album Rejoice! (Phil 4:4)
27. The Secret by Seeds Family Worship from the album The Power of Encouragement (Phil 4:12-13)
28. Sunshine and Joy by Lisa Bevill from the album All Because of You (Phil 4)
29. Think About It by Seeds Family Worship from the album The Power of Encouragement (Phil 4:8)
30. To Live Is Christ by Charles Billingsley, Scott Krippayne & Shannon Wexelberg from the album Better Than Life (Phil 1:21)

David Burke writes: This song came to me in a special way, through God, of course, but I was thinking beforehand of all the things that are being said nowadays about the unborn having a voice. An unborn child is still a person and thus has a right to his or her life. We parents do not have the choice to change that. We used our choice when we enabled God to create this child, and that's where our options in that regard stopped and where our responsibilities began. So when I considered unborn children having a voice in their destiny, I envisioned these children speaking out in song and communicating with an angel about life on earth, as well as eternal life with our Almighty Creator. 

A song between unborn children and their guardian angels.  To download the song, sheet music and words for free go to www.wewanttoseetheworld.com

For more information visit www.cogforlife.org

Elizabeth Schmeidler writes... With the signing of the Freedom of Choice Act pending, (which will remove all limitations on abortions) I am sure your hearts have been as heavy-laden as my own. Just weeks ago I was inspired to write and compile the Pro-life video, "My Voice". I believe that this video may very well be the most important work that God has ever accomplished through me. Please take a few minutes of your time to watch it. I think that you will see where God's heart has led my own. All I ask of you is two things: that you pass this video on as far and wide as you possibly can, and to pray that the Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of those who are blinded to receive the message of life that the video proclaims. Our prayers and passion, along with this video, can make a difference in the hearts of the American people and I do believe that we CAN prevent FOCA from being signed, and more still, one day put an end to abortion. May God bless all of you and may He continue to have mercy on all those who have been affected by abortion. Thank you very much for your time and prayers!