CMAA Colloquium XX 2010 from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

In addition, the audio recordings are all available on http://music.dierschow.com/2010Colloquium.

“Our music is the tabernacle, the means of delivery of the Word to the faithful.”

This is a fascinating [...]]]> At the Colloquium last week, one of the priests mentioned the relationship between sacred music and worship in his homily.  He said something which was quite interesting, that I’ll attempt to paraphrase as best I can:

“Our music is the tabernacle, the means of delivery of the Word to the faithful.”

This is a fascinating idea, that the word of God is conveyed through readings, through ritual, and especially through sacred music because it reaches so deeply.  And when people hear the word, they receive the Word.

It’s hard to get my mind around, but it strikes me as truth.  Our music isn’t about feeling good about ourselves and how “well” we are worshiping.  It’s about giving another means for each of us to receive the blessed Word, the ultimate gift, from our maker.

I’d be interested to hear what thoughts this sparks for you!

Up at 3:00AM, to drive to Denver, grab a flight. Then hang around in Milwaukee for 4 hours, and finally on to Pittsburgh. OK, that’s enough whining.

Meeting up with all my great Colloquium buddies was wonderful, as expected. I started out tired, but when we got to singing … heaven! [...]]]> Yesterday was a challenge!

Up at 3:00AM, to drive to Denver, grab a flight.  Then hang around in Milwaukee for 4 hours, and finally on to Pittsburgh.  OK, that’s enough whining.

Meeting up with all my great Colloquium buddies was wonderful, as expected.  I started out tired, but when we got to singing … heaven!  It’s just such a wonderful experience to be immersed with a bunch of great people who are all passionate about bringing back this heritage of music.

Today we did the simplest Mass, English Ordinary Form.  That’s mostly just for practical reasons – there’s not enough time to practice anything very hard.  We did the Richard Rice ordinaries, which is the first time I’ve heard them done for real.  Quite excellent, in my opinion.

I don’t know that I’ll be able to put up as many posts this week as I’d like, since I don’t have network access on my own PC.  But rest assured that the recordings are coming!  For a teaser of the program, go to http://music.dierschow.com/2010Colloquium.

I’ll also be making recordings next week of Colloquium XX in Pittsburg, [...]]]> If you want the audio recordings from the 2008 or 2009 Sacred Music Colloquiums in Chicago, drop me an email.  They’re available on the website at music.dierschow.com/2008Colloquium and music.dierschow.com/2009Colloquium, but the recordings are pretty huge if you want to download ALL of them.

I’ll also be making recordings next week of Colloquium XX in Pittsburg, so let me know if you would like to get a copy of that.

I’ve made a number of data CDs of these recently, including a couple that I’m taking to Pittsburg.  These are DATA CDs – just a number of ZIP files – because the audio CD versions would take at least a dozen discs.

So drop me an e-mail if you’re interested!

I’m glad that this one wasn’t the first time we [...]]]> For the third time now, we pulled together all the chant choirs from the parishes in Fort Collins to do a single Mass.  Or in this case, two: one at my home parish, and one next Sunday at the most traditional church building in town.

I’m glad that this one wasn’t the first time we got together, because it was just crazy.  Just to give you a feel for it, the planning was again done by three directors, and we never actually got together and met.  On top of that, we had four practices, and never had more than one of the directors at each.

I felt particularly bad, because I didn’t attend any of the practices myself, having been waylaid in London last week due to the volcano.

But with God’s grace, it came together this morning.  Not perfect by any means, but God doesn’t demand perfection.  He just wants to give all for His worship and glory.

My deep thanks go out to all the singers this morning, who especially showed grace and enthusiasm despite some big-time chaos.  And I know we’re all looking forward to next week, when we have the chance to sing in a wonderfully resonant space.  I think that will blow a lot of people away who haven’t had the chance to sing that way before.

The reason for mentioning it here is that our chant schola is [...]]]> There was an interesting piece on a local news channel about a teacher at the University of Northern Colorado who uses the Ward Method to successfully teach music.  I haven’t met her yet, although I’ve been interested to attend one of her workshops.

The reason for mentioning it here is that our chant schola is featured – OK, for maybe ten seconds – in reference to the Ward Method growing out of Gregorian Chant in the Catholic Church.

Check it out on the 9News website.

I’m heavily involved with the RCIA program in our parish, which builds toward the Night of All Nights that we just experienced yesterday. A three hour Mass brings into clear focus how we are [...]]]> I absolutely love this time of year.  Easter is a chance for a deep spiritual renewal – in so many ways.

I’m heavily involved with the RCIA program in our parish, which builds toward the Night of All Nights that we just experienced yesterday.  A three hour Mass brings into clear focus how we are to act as believers, and to help others on their paths toward redemption.

Tuesday night the RCIA class will have a reflection on this weekend’s mysteries, which is undoubtedly the best class of the entire year.  Usually we can’t stop people from pouring their hearts out, which strengthens others and reinforces within themselves.

Our chant schola sang for the Good Friday Veneration, and I was very pleased with the result.  We did almost the same music we did last year for Good Friday, so most people were pretty comfortable with the music.  As an added bonus, we had a local TV station film our practice, to be combined into a segment about a professor at Colorado State University who helps tone deaf singers by teaching them Gregorian Chant with the Ward Method.  They’re saying that the segment should air on Denver Channel 9 (KUSA) this Friday, but of course things can always change.  If you want to be specifically notified, drop me an e-mail at carl@dierschow.com.

A very blessed Easter season to all of you: Use the upcoming weeks to build your new spiritual life!  Christus resurrexit!

I managed to capture the recordings, which you can find here on my website. Check it out!

It just [...]]]> I had a chance to sing in a Compline service last night at Blessed John XXIII parish in Fort Collins, Colorado.  What really made this special was the addition of a talented local harpist, Alaina Bongers.

I managed to capture the recordings, which you can find here on my website.  Check it out!

It just goes to show you – never be unwilling to try new things!

Sung entirely in Russian, it was an amazing experience! And more unexpected – a capella!

I’ve experienced [...]]]> This evening, my wife and I had a chance to attend a concert of the Larimer Chorale, our local and extremely talented choral group based in Fort Collins.  The program was Rachmaninoff’s Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Opus 37.

Sung entirely in Russian, it was an amazing experience!  And more unexpected – a capella!

I’ve experienced a lot of classical music over my lifetime, thanks to a very talented mother and aunt, and a number of years in the school orchestra.  I appreciate this kind of talent and dedication to a faithful rendition.

But in this case, what really made the difference was the pre-concert explanation by the director, Michael Krueger.  For over half an hour, he patiently explained the context of all-night vigils in the Russian Orthodox Church, the timeframe of the composition, and how the choir was able to sing Russian so beautifully.

This reinforced for me the importance of letting people know the larger story behind the music we sing.  It’s not just about singing “Glory to God in the highest” because we’ve done it our entire lives.  This is the song of the angels, defining their relationship to our creator.

What could be more beautiful?  What could be more important?