April 1, 2018

#007: A Lively History of Music in Liturgy (from the archives, with Alexander Peloquin)

April 1, 2018

Lent is behind us. Triduum is over. Our Easter Sunday liturgies are complete. Alleluia, indeed! Today, we’ll hear a lively presentation from the late Dr. Alexander Peloquin. Recorded at the first NPM national convention in 1978, Dr. Peloquin shares a lively history of music in the liturgy. For the next hour, he will explore the evolution of liturgical music. From the earliest chants to the great sequences and hymns of the Reformation and Counter Reformation, right through to the early years of post Vatican II music, you’ll hear examples of how music in the Church has been influenced – and has influenced in turn – the development of western music. Dr. Peloquin combines music theory, liturgical history, pastoral commentary, and a good deal of humor.

Before we get to the recording, two quick notes.

First, a word about today’s presenter. Dr. Alexander Peloquin was a liturgical composer, organist, teacher, and director of music. Throughout his extensive career, he worked with Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Dave Brubeck, and Thomas Merton. A strong proponent of the reforms established by the Second Vatican Council, in 1964, Dr. Peloquin composed the first Mass sung in English. Dr. Peloquin died in 1997. You can read more about his life and works in the show notes for this episode on our website, ministrymonday.org.

Second, this presentation was digitized from an archival tape recording. As you can expect from a forty-year old tape, there are a few sound issues here and there. Still, we hope that you enjoy this gem from our archives. We’ll be back with new interviews and conversations next week.

SHOW NOTES

To join us this summer at the national convention in Baltimore, Maryland, visit the 2018 NPM convention website.

You can read more about Dr. Alexander Peloquin on his composer page from GIA Publications. You can also read an article about his life on the Boston College website.

The recording of "Resucito" was produced by OCP.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

March 25, 2018

#006: "Drinking God Straight" (featuring Saint Meinrad's Archabbey)

March 25, 2018

"From the Bell Tower" hosts, Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe

As we journey through the holiest week of the year, rife with ancient traditions and rituals, our episode today focuses on one of the Church’s oldest musical traditions: chant. The prominence – or absence – of chant in American parishes has been a much-discussed topic in the decades following Vatican II. Some parishes chant in the vernacular, others in Latin. Some chant a lot, others barely at all. Regardless of your viewpoint or preference, and no matter how much chant is in your repertoire, odds are that – at some point this week – your community will experience chant at one or more of the liturgies of Triduum.

Today we bring you a short audio program from Saint Meinrad’s Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana. Titled, “Drinking God Straight,” this program describes the tradition of chant in the Church’s liturgical life, but also details the ways that chant changed and transitioned after the Second Vatican Council. Hosted by Brothers Joel and Kolbe, you’ll hear from several voices, including Fr. Columba Kelly, OSB, renowned chant scholar and teacher.

SHOW NOTES

To join us this summer at the national convention in Baltimore, Maryland, visit the 2018 NPM convention website.

For more information about chant, visit the Chant Interest Section page on the NPM website. Here you'll find frequently asked questions, helpful resources, links, events, and more.

You can listen to the "From the Bell Towers" podcast by visiting the program website at Saint Meinrad's Seminary and School of Theology. The album Gregorian Chants for Lent and Easter, recorded by the chant schola of Saint Meinrad's Archabbey, can be purchased on iTunes.

The choral recording of "Love Unknown" is published by OCP. The piano recording of "Love Unknown" was performed by Fr. Robert Koopmann, OSB, on the album Sacred Improvisations.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.

March 18, 2018

#005: "Ministry," not "Martyrdom" (with Sr. Kathleen Harmon, featuring Pat Kerwin)

March 18, 2018

None of us needs to be reminded that next week is the biggest week of the liturgical year. All of us have our “to do” lists ready, and we will be feverishly making final preparations in the days ahead. What we do need reminding of is to slow down, to breathe, and to be attentive to what it is we really do: lead people in prayer. Today we will hear two important messages: Sr. Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN, helps us refocus on our role as prayer leaders, not simply leaders of music. Pat Kerwin reminds us that it’s called “ministry,” not “martyrdom.”

SHOW NOTES

To join us this summer at the national convention in Baltimore, Maryland, visit the 2018 NPM convention website.

To learn more about Sr. Kathy's publications, visit her pages at GIA Publications and the Liturgical Press.

To read the full article, "It's Called 'Ministry,' Not 'Martyrdom'" by Pat Kerwin, access the April-May 2008 issue of Pastoral Music.

"From Ashes to the Living Font" is published by World Library Publications.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.