Tag Archives: Gregorian Chant

Is Religious Music Suitable for Mass?

Posted on February 19, 2022 by marklangley

Obviously all religious music will occupy itself with words appropriated from scripture or at least in some way grounded in scripture. Whether using the words of a psalm, or composed as a sort of ‘poetic meditation’ on this or that … Continue reading →

Posted in Fine Arts, Sacred Music, The Mass | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

All Souls’ Day and Dies Irae: The Four Most Profoundly Influential Notes of Gregorian Chant

Posted on November 1, 2020 by marklangley

I am certainly not the first one to make note of the fact that the Sequence, Dies Irae, for All Souls’ Day appears to have made a profound and far ranging contribution to American Culture. From blockbusters like Star Wars … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, Christendom, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass, William Byrd | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Is There Such a Thing as Catholic Music?

Posted on April 1, 2017 by marklangley

A choir loft is a good place to get a whole view of what is going on at Mass. In fact, it is the only place in a Church where a bird’s-eye view is possible. Of course it is mostly a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

The Secret to Beautiful Liturgy: Leave it to the Kids!

Posted on March 14, 2016 by marklangley

This morning I attended a simple daily Mass along with 60 students in grades 6-12. Let’s see, that places them somewhere between the ages of 11 and 18. So given that there were only 70 people in the church – … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, catholic education, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Do You Actually Participate at Mass?

Posted on March 5, 2016 by marklangley

As a parish Music Director, like Garrison Keillor’s Guy Noir Private Eye, I find myself trying to find answers to one of life’s most persistent questions: How can I contribute to that “full, conscious and active participation in the ceremonies” that the fathers … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, Music, Sacred Music, Sacrosanctum Consilium, The Mass | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sacred Music and Catholic Classical Education

Posted on March 18, 2013 by marklangley

There is no doubt about it. Every  Catholic School ought to provide an enormous focus on singing Sacred Music. By providing an enormous focus on singing Sacred Music I mean: 1. Every student ought to be required to sing– even students with … Continue reading →

Posted in Sacred Music, Seven Fine Arts | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment