Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast

An opinion piece published in the New York Times on May 8, 2020, entitled “Christianity Gets Weird,” highlights for readers the attraction of beauty and mystery for the young, and how that attraction leads to an embrace of the Faith, even in spite of (perhaps because of!) the countercultural nature of it all. This interview with Fr. Gaurav Shroff, a priest of the archdiocese of Atlanta, is likewise a testament to the power of beauty, mystery, and sacred music to attract. 

Our first-ever bonus episode—outside our normal publication schedule and a more extended conversation than our normal episodes—features a conversation with Dr. Timothy McDonnell of Catholic University in America. Looking at the near-term future of music making in the Church, our conversation presents music directors with ideas that they can implement to improve their skills in conducting, vocal pedagogy, and ear training now, and what the current situation means for the future of our parish music programs and profession. We offer ideas that you might implement in pared-down music programs under phased restrictions, and discuss a class Tim is offering through St. Joseph's Seminary this summer that's designed to help parish music directors improve their skills.  For more information or to register for Tim's class, "Conducting and Group Vocal Pedagogy for the Parish Music Director" (July 29-31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., live online), visit: www.dunwoodie.edu/dunwoodie-music-classes 

Join us for an episode which sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the principles in Pope Pius X's 1903 motu proprio Tra le Sollecitudini. We'll take a look at the musical scene in which the motu proprio appeared and the evolution of the document, as well as provide an overview of the structure and decrees of the document. Our guest is Dr. Susan Treacy, a convert to the Catholic faith, and musicologist who has inspired many Catholic university students to love the Church's treasury of sacred music through her years teaching at Franciscan University of Steubenville and Ave Maria University.  For more information about the "Principles of Sacred Music" course offered online this summer (2020) through St. Joseph's Seminary, visit sacredmusicpodcast.com/upcoming-events.

How did medieval monks create illuminated manuscripts? What's behind the symbolism in all their visual elements? Why were they an important part of the monk's life and work? What do they have to do with my prayer life and understanding of sacred music now? Find out the answers to these and other questions in this episode with Mrs. Elizabeth Lemme of Pelican Printery House as she shares with us a little bit about her own growth in faith through this artistic medium, as well as her expertise in all their details. Pelican Printery House is available on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/PelicanPrinteryHouse More information about summer 2020 sacred music study is available at https://sacredmusicpodcast.com/upcoming-events Sign up for the May 2020 webinar on chanting monastic vespers is available here: https://forms.gle/SH2ENj9fMxYYLEJB7

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a Catholic musician under the reigns of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I? Are you interested in learning more about what makes Tudor era polyphony tick, or how Byrd's music evolved throughout his life? Take a deep dive on the music and life of composer William Byrd with our guest, renowned expert on these topics, Dr. Kerry McCarthy.   Read Dr. McCarthy's bio here: www.byrdfestival.org/pages/guest_artists/kerry_mccarthy.html. Buy Dr. McCarthy's books here: www.amazon.com/dp/0195388755/ and here: www.amazon.com/dp/0415978610/. More information on the Summer 2020 Course "Conducting and Group Vocal Pedagogy for the Parish Music Director" is available here: www.dunwoodie.edu/dunwoodie-music-classes.

We welcome an inspiring and wise guest on the show to talk about the perception of beauty, the effect of beauty on the soul, and how to form oneself and children in beauty. Dr. Alice von Hildebrand focuses on what she believes are the key virtues for every person: reverence and humility. Tune in to hear her words of encouragement for musicians and parents. To read the article we mention in the episode, "Wrong Approaches to Art," visit: www.alicevonhildebrand.org/wrong-approaches-to-art. To learn more about the summer course offerings at St. Joseph's Seminary in New York, visit www.dunwoodie.edu/dunwoodie-music-classes. For more on upcoming webinars on chant, visit jenniferdonelson.com/conferences-workshops.

Join us for an update on the current situation with the organs at Notre Dame in Paris, following the April 15, 2019 fire. Our guest is the fantastic titular organist of Notre Dame, Olivier Latry, who gives us an assessment of the damage and what to look for in the road ahead. He also discusses the development of the instrument and its role in the sacred liturgy and the development of organ repertoire. For more information about Olivier Latry, please click here: www.concertorganists.com/artists/Olivier-Latry/. For more information about the Introduction to the Organ for Pianists class this summer at St. Joseph's Seminary, click here: www.dunwoodie.edu/dunwoodie-music-classes.

Dr. Nathan Knutson, the Director of Sacred Music at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, joins us for this episode on the Church's esteem for the pipe organ. If you've been looking to learn about the history of the organ in the Roman rite, the basics of its construction, or the theology of its inclusion into a religion which takes the voice as its first instrument, this is the episode for you! And if you're an organist thinking about how to explain your role to parishioners, we hope you'll find something helpful here, too. Check out the music program at St. Charles Seminary at their facebook page: facebook.com/seminarymusic/ The organ method Dr. Knutson and his wife created is available at: domenicozipoli.org/organ  Find out more soon about the summer 2020 course "Introduction to the Organ for Pianists" being offered at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York at dunwoodie.edu. 

We're learning about one of this podcast's patronesses in this episode - St. Élisabeth of the Trinity, who described herself as "laudem gloriæ," the "praise of glory." Discover why St. Élisabeth is an excellent spiritual model for musicians, and get to know her as a spiritual friend eager to help in all your life's struggles. Our guest is an expert on St. Élisabeth, Dr. Anthony Lilles, who was just recently appointed as Academic Dean at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, California. Dr. Lilles is a regular guest on the "Discerning Hearts" network, discussing St. Élisabeth and other Carmelites and mystics of the Church. 

We're taking a look at the Catholic way of reading, understanding, and praying the book of Psalms. Our guest is Dom Benedict Andersen, who is a Benedictine priest-monk and founding member of Silverstream Priory, in Stamullen, County Meath, Ireland. He is currently preparing for doctoral studies in the area of patristics. His passions include typography, the psalms, and well-behaved pit bulls.  To donate to Silverstream Priory's project of building an oratory, click here.  Other links mentioned in this episode: CMAA Sacred Music Colloquium, June 22–27, 2020, Tampa, FL Gregorian Chant Workshop, March 14, 2020, Cohoes, NY 

James Monti is an author in the fields of Catholic liturgy and hagiography. His books include A Sense of the Sacred: Roman Catholic Worship in the Middle Ages, The King’s Good Servant but God’s First: The Life and Writings of St. Thomas More, The Week of Salvation: History and Traditions of Holy Week, and In The Presence of Our Lord: The History, Theology, and Psychology of Eucharistic Devotion, the latter co-authored with Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR. He is a columnist for The Wanderer and Sacred Music. A member of the staff of the Corrigan Memorial Library of Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, he is presently working toward the completion of a full-length biography of the Irish maiden Venerable Edel Mary Quinn of the Legion of Mary (1907-1944) and a comprehensive work on the liturgical ceremonies of the Roman Rite as they were celebrated both universally and locally following the Council of Trent, during the Baroque Era (c. 1568-1799).

Join us for an episode highlighting the spiritual fruits that flow from following the Church's pastoral guidance in the celebration of the liturgy. We talk about Musicam Sacram, the document's pastoral plan with three degrees of singing, the spiritual impact of the clergy singing their parts of the Mass, and even a little bit about how to fundraise for your music program.  Our guest is Fr. Nathan Cromly, CSJ, founder and director of the Saint John Institute in Denver, Colorado. Visit the website of the Institute at https://www.saintjohninstitute.org/. His podcast, Dare Great Things for Christ, is available on all major podcast outlets. 

Join us in this episode for a discussion about St. Cecilia, and the liturgies and sacred music of Rome.  Gregory DiPippo is the Editor of the New Liturgical Movement blog. He lives and works in the eternal city of Rome, sharing his breadth of knowledge of the liturgical traditions of the Church with people across the globe.

Robert Cardinal Sarah was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 as the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He has said of his efforts for the renewal of the sacred liturgy that “Pope Francis has asked me to continue the extraordinary liturgical work Pope Benedict began.” Cardinal Sarah is the author of three interview books with Nicolas Dait: God or Nothing (2015), The Power of Silence (2017), and The Day is Now Far Spent (2019). You can follow Cardinal Sarah on Facebook and Twitter.

Robert Cardinal Sarah was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 as the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He has said of his efforts for the renewal of the sacred liturgy that "Pope Francis has asked me to continue the extraordinary liturgical work Pope Benedict began." Cardinal Sarah is the author of three interview books with Nicolas Dait: God or Nothing (2015), The Power of Silence (2017), and The Day is Now Far Spent (2019). You can follow Cardinal Sarah on Facebook and Twitter.

Dr. Timothy P. O’Malley is the Director of Education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, where he also serves as Academic Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy. He teaches and researches at Notre Dame in the areas of liturgical-sacramental theology, catechesis, and aesthetics. He is the author of numerous articles and books, most recently, the forthcoming Divine Blessing: Liturgical Formation in the RCIA. Read more about Tim’s work at the Church Life Journal, especially this helpful article about the participation of children in the liturgy: “The Liturgy is for (Little) Kids.”

Juilliard-trained James Wetzel is one of the most respected Catholic church musicians in New York City. In this episode, we ask James about his work as the director of music and organist at the Dominican parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Catherine of Siena. His professional Schola Cantorum is renowned for keeping very much alive the “Church’s treasure of sacred music” for the worship of God in the sacred liturgy. James also shares his perspective and advice on how priests and music directors can take steps to build up the sacred music programs at parishes.   James’ Biography James D. Wetzel is the Director of Music and Organist of the Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Catherine of Siena on Manhattan’s Upper East Side where he directs the professional Schola Cantorum in over 70 services annually. James served from 2010-2015 as the Organist and Choirmaster of midtown’s Church of Saint Agnes and from 2011-2016 was an adjunct lecturer in Hunter College’s music department. Since 2010, he has also bee

Rev. Fr. Jude Orakwe is a lecturer at the music department of Anambra State University (a.k.a. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University). He is also the founder and director of Shanahan Institute of Music of Onitsha Archdiocese (for adults) as well as of the George Handel Music Academy (for the children) of St. Joseph’s Parish Odoakpu Onitsha. He directs the Archdiocesan choir and is also the music director of St. Joseph’s Parish Choir. Fr. Orakwe has his doctorate in ethnomusicology from Indiana University, Bloomington, United States, as well as a Master’s degree in Sacred Music from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music Rome, Italy. In this episode, we discuss Fr. Jude Orakwe’s musical initiatives in Nigeria, his personal experiences of music and faith, and also aspects of musical and liturgical inculturation. If you would like to financially support Fr. Jude Orakwe’s musical initiatives you can do so via Paypal, either at jorakwe@indiana.edu or jatomaria@gmail.com.

For this episode, we are joined by the renowned Catholic composer Kevin Allen. Kevin has written a large repertoire of sacred choral music for the Church’s liturgy and shares with us his insights into creating new works of art for the liturgy, as well as his advice for Catholic artists today. Kevin Allen’s O Sacrum Convivium Kevin Allen’s Domine Non Sum Dignus Kevin Allen’s sheet music Kevin Allen’s on Facebook Kevin Allen’s choir, Schola Laudis

We’re joined by Philadelphia musician and educator Lisa Knutson for a discussion of the Jesuit missions in South America and how the missionary spirit, artistic craftsmanship, and education in beauty offered by the Jesuits in the 17th century can inspire the heart of the modern missionary to bring Christ to the poor through sacred music and music education. The Zipoli Institute has a lot of great resources available for musicians, especially for those working with Spanish-language choirs and liturgies. Check out the work of Lisa and her husband Nathan in the Zipoli Institute here: https://domenicozipoli.org This article from the New York Times on the legacy of the music education of the Jesuits in Bolivia is also an interesting glimpse into the continuing fruits of the work of the missionaries: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/americas/bolivia-baroque-music.html And here are some great recordings of the music of Domenico Zipoli, SJ: Vespers for the Feast of St. Ignatius: https://www.youtube.com/watch