Choir Resources:

What is a CHOIR vs. a Schola? 

At the Traditional Latin Mass, "the schola" sings Gregorian chant or plainsong.  While "the choir", sings any type of music in any church (e.g. polyphony or A cappella aka singing in unison).  The appropriate place for a schola (vs. a choir) is between the choir stalls known as the "chancel" aka choir or presbyterium.  The chancel is often located beween the sanctuary link to sanctuary... and the nave but can be also placed on the side or even behind the main altar (e.g. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento).  Most American parishes do not have a proper chancel, however in England it is quite common to find them.

Our sanctuary at St. Mary's Vacaville is a unique design (and sadly without a choir loft) does not allow for an approximation of a sanctuary-chancel distinction.  Therefore, the choir's current location next to the organ is a strategic location given such design.  

***We are currently working on getting a Gregorian Chant Class aka Chant Camp organized at St. Mary's (more details to come).  Stay tuned for updates.  

How to become a Latin Mass Chorister?  (Basic Guidelines for a new member in a on a basic choir SATB=Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass, and Gregorian Chant Parish Latin Mass Choir, and in some circles known as a "schola cantorum").

1. Understand the Latin Mass.    click here: (How to Easily Grasp The Latin Mass: A Step-by-Step Guide ) or  New to the Latin Mass - Saint Joseph Catholic Church

2. What is your role in the choir?  Do you have the ability?  Desire is important as it supports a certain degree of natural ability.  Good Catholics use discernment (discovering God's Will in your life) and vocation (the specific way of life/calling in which you will serve Him) to help with the decision-making process.

3. Understand the structure of the Mass, including processional hymn, Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Offertory, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and post communion prayers and recessional hymn. (the blue "Parish Book of Chant" by the CMAA is helpful in this regard)

4. Gregorian Chant  ...(see below).

5. Polyphonic singing... (hymnal singing).  

6. Singing in a Diocesan Indult Latin Mass is a blessing from God.  

7. Practice the regular Mass Chants first and get comfortable with the basics in the , then practice the hymns, then put it together....(first alone, then with others or the choir itself...  :-)   "Practice makes Perfect"...more accurately, practice makes as good as it will get (no judging here).  Know which Mass of the 18 or XVIII possible will be sung on Sunday.  Each is based on the specific Liturgical Calendar or by using propria.org and/or ccwatershed.org for the PROPERS for the specific Sunday.  Note: it can get complicated during Feast Days and when Feast Days fall on Seasonal Octaves...but I'll keep it simple for now.  Let your Choir Leader decide. 

To start, one must practice the chants of the given Mass (#3 above)....learn the basics (Scholas' Guide to Sung Mass | Latin Mass Society ). Once the "Chants for the Ordinary of the Mass" (pg. viii) are mastered, then you can move on to practicing the "Entrance, Communion, and Recessional" hymns. These hymns are typically chosen by your choir director in advance. Many hymns are well-known by the laity, however, some require concentrated effort to memorization of your part e.g. Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass. This happens over time. 

RESOURCES:

Psallite Sapienter: A Musician's Practical Guide to the 1962 Roman Missal   (a pdf... text1.qxd)  Also, available at Amazon...Psallite Sapienter: A Musician's Practical Guide to the 1962 Roman Missal: Mills, B. Andrew: 9781962440288: Amazon.com: Books

-PDF Download • EF “Singing Cues” (1-Page Sheet)

ALL SUNDAY PROPERS ARE AVAILABLE in the "PROPERS" section in the MENU above but also available by clicking "Missal Readings..." directly below.  Also can be obtained on the right side rear table as you walk into St. Mary's main aisle, next to the Latin Mass sign-up sheet. 

Option 1: MISSAL READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY  (propria.org)

Option 2: Missal readings (from ccwatershed.org ), for reference only see excerpt below in blue...  Please note that St. Mary's does only has a Sung High Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month.  Low Mass Sundays only include a sung Recessional Hymn. 

2nd Sunday after Easter
Introit • Score Video Mp3 Organist • Misericordia Domini
Mode III psalm tone for 1st & 2nd Alleluia (PDF)
1st Alleluia • Score Video Organist • Cognoverunt discipuli
2nd Alleluia • Score Video Mp3 Organist • Ego sum pastor bonus
Offertory • Score Video Organist • Deus Deus meus
Communion • Score Video Mp3 Organist • Ego sum pastor bonus

Simple Guide To Singing the Extraordinary Form

Singing Cues "At a Glance"   15-48-26_0.pdf

Our High Mass is celebrated every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month followed by a potluck on the 3rd Sundays.  The Latin MASS celebrated by our St. Mary's Latin Mass Choir and our Reverend Father Brian Soliven.

Check here for next Low Mass hymn: LOW MASS RECESSIONAL HYMN: " To be Announced" at Mass.

Gregorian Chant Propers: (DIY)

- St. Rene Goupil - Gregorian Chant Propers  (just scroll down to the appropriate Sunday on the Traditional Calendar)

-USUS Antiquior - Propers for Sundays

How to read Gregorian Chant Notation: How to read Gregorian Chant Notation.pdf 

A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Gregorian Chant Notation by www.musicasacra.com

Beginner's Guide to Gregorian Chant by Christopher Jasper (Youtube video below)

Another option in learning Gregorian Chant by John Shaw...

How to sing Gregorian Chant by John ShawAlso check out his other "How-To" videos, he's a great teacher!!

Are you a choir member in need of chant propers in book form?  Of course, there is the "Graduale Triplex" by Solesmis MCMLXXIX.  But even better is the Graduale Romanum 1961, Vol I & II Graduale Romanum 1961 (Vol I & II)

Calendars:

Tridentine Calendar Liturgical Calendars according to the pre 1950 missal – Tridentine Catholic Website Home