Sacred Music

Jubilee Sacred Music Series
Because the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasury of immeasurable value, Old St. Mary’s has long been committed to preserving and fostering the sacred music of the Church. Continuing faithfully with this tradition, a special four-part Jubilee Year Sacred Music Series, spanning a wide range of traditional Catholic music, is now underway at Old St. Mary’s. The series opened on Sunday, March 26^th at Solemn Sung Vespers of the Third Sunday of Lent. The first performance featured Gregorian Chant, and music from the 16^th century German composers Orlandus Lassus and Hans Leo Hassler.

On Sunday, September 10^th, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., the Schola Cantorum of the University of Steubenville will conduct a workshop in Gregorian Chant. The seminar is free and open to everyone interested in singing chant or simply developing a greater appreciation of this treasure of the Catholic Church. At 5:00 p.m. the Schola members will sing at Solemn Vespers with chant as well as selections from the master of the Spanish Renaissance, Tomas Luis de Victoria, and the 20^th century classical composer Maurice Durufle.

The third installment in the series on Sunday, October 29^th at 4:00 p.m. will feature the Musica Sacra chorus and orchestra, conducted by Dr. Helmut Roehrig, chairman of the Xavier University Music Department. The series will take on a distinctive German sound with selections from Ludwig van Beethoven’s "Mass in C" and the sacred music of Austrian Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Old Saint Mary’s is honored to again host this splendid musical group.

Concluding the series on Sunday, December 10^th at 5:00 p.m., Old Saint Mary’s choir will sing Solemn Vespers of the Second Sunday of Advent. Once again, a strong German flavor will be evident with the sacred music of composers Samuel Scheidt, Orlandus Lassus, and Ludwig Senfl. The Jubilee Sacred Music Series continues Old Saint Mary’s long standing commitment to preserving and fostering the great treasury of Catholic sacred music.

Interview with choirmaster Don Barrett
"Language is not a barrier to participation in the liturgy at Old St. Mary’s," says choirmaster Don Barrett, who has served the parish as music director and organist for the past 14 years. Old St. Mary’s 9:15 Sunday Latin Mass features Gregorian chant and Renaissance music provided by choir members from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music.

"The music program at Old St. Mary’s is not about ‘performance’; it is all about liturgy in the finest tradition of the Catholic Church," explains Mr. Barrett. "We feature a wide variety of traditional Catholic sacred music in its proper liturgical setting, and there is a high level of congregational participation at each Mass." The Latin congregation, for instance, chants the familiar Gloria, Credo and Sanctus along with the choir.

The Old St. Mary’s choir, under the direction of Mr. Barrett, was featured on Public Radio International’s 1995 and 1996 "Renaissance Music of Christmas" specials.

Mr. Barrett, himself a graduate of the College Conservatory of Music, has worked during his career as music director for several Detroit-area and Cincinnati-area parishes including Guardian Angels, St. James of the Valley and St. Elizabeth, Norwood. In addition to his expertise on the organ, Mr. Barrett plays alto saxophone, clarinet, and flute, and has been a member of a barbershop quartet for the past 12 years.

SACRED MUSIC LINKS

How to read Gregorian chant notation

Gregorian Chant Midi Files

Musicae Sacra: encyclical of Pope Pius XII, 1955

Musicam Sacram: instruction of Pope Paul VI, 1967

Voluntati obsequens: Letter on Plain Chant, 1974

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Revised: February 23, 2007 .

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