"Pan de Vida"

The need for bilingual liturgical music - and, in some places, trilingual or quadrilingual music - is widespread in the United States. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview composer Bob Hurd about his song "Pan de Vida," one of the earliest and best-loved examples of purpose-built bilingual liturgical music. Bob discusses what influences his music, how he relies on scripture for his texts, and the best ways we can bring unity to a world and a Church that is increasingly divided. This is a great conversation for anyone who ministers in a multi-cultural setting. 

So, please open your hymnal to "Pan de Vida."

Episode links

For more information about Bob Hurd and his other compositions, visit his composer page at OCP.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the original song recording from OCP. Here you can also purchase a copy of the recording of "Pescador de Hombres" (by Cesareo Gabarain) and "Gather Your People" (by Bob Hurd, Craig Kingsbury, & Dominic MacAller).

You can purchase a copy of the instrumental piano recording of "Pan de Vida" (arranged and performed by Jon Sarta) from iTunes. Here you can also purchase a copy of the recording of "O Magnum Mysterium" (by Morten Lauridsen).

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All content of this podcast is property of Open Your Hymnal 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.

"May the Road Rise to Meet You"

The text of the traditional "Irish blessing" is well-known and well-loved by generations of Christians from across the cultural spectrum. In this episode, composer Lori True speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert about her setting of the text in the song "May the Road Rise to Meet You." Lori shares her experience crafting melody, setting blessings, and serving the Church as a female composer of liturgical music. Plus, there is a cameo appearance by Queen Elizabeth II!

So, please open your hymnal to "May the Road Rise to Meet You."

Episode links

For more information about Lori True and her other compositions, visit her composer page at GIA Publications.

You can purchase a copy of the song score and a copy of the original song recording from GIA Publications. While there, you can also purchase copies of Lori's other songs that were referenced in this episode : "I Cry to You", "Let This Be the Time," God Give Us Peace That Lasts," "May the Peace of Christ Be With You (Japanese Blessing)," and "Go Now in Peace." 

You can purchase a piano score and copy of the instrumental recording of "May the Road Rise to Meet You" (arranged and performed by Paul Tate) from GIA Publications. 

You can watch the Cashel Community School choir perform the song for Queen Elizabeth II on her 2011 visit to Ireland on Youtube (the song begins about the 3:11 mark). 

You can find out more about Music Ministry Alive! by visiting the program website.

You can find out more about St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, the largest Catholic women's college in the country, by visiting their website.

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All content of this podcast is property of Open Your Hymnal or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about this podcast and its use, please contact us.

Special Feature: "Pilgrims and Companions" and "The Liturgical Ensemble"

In our most recent episode, Zack and Matt spoke to composer Marty Haugen about the song “All Are Welcome." In this rich conversation, Marty shared many thoughts about the importance of congregational song, how he writes and arranges his music with parish musicians in mind, and the ways that faith communities can and should address current issues through the lens of the Gospel. These are important considerations for anyone involved in parish ministry. But, getting started can be difficult without the right resources. During our conversation, Marty shared with us two projects that he is working on that can help.

Feature links

You can purchase both the song scores and audio recording for the collection "Pilgrims and Companions" from GIA Publications.

You can view more information about the National Association of Pastoral Musicians convention, including the three-part liturgical ensemble workshop co-led by Marty Haugen, by visiting the NPM website. You can also register to attend the convention. 

You can find out more about Marty's compositions, articles, books, and other publications at his website, www.martyhaugen.com.

All content of this podcast is property of Open Your Hymnal or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about this podcast and its use, please contact us.

"All Are Welcome"

To say that some people have strong feelings about the song "All Are Welcome" may be an understatement. While it has detractors it is also beloved by many, and when it is used in parishes the congregation sings. In this episode, composer Marty Haugen speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert about "All Are Welcome" and, in doing so, shares his approach to composition, his philosophy of congregational singing, and his response to those who feel that liturgical songs are becoming too "political." Plus, listeners hear about Marty's original plans for the melody, and a unique congregation in San Francisco where the music ministry utilizes no instrumentation. 

So, please open your hymnal to "All Are Welcome."

Episode links

For more information about Marty Haugen and his other compositions, visit his composer page at GIA Publications. You can also learn more at his personal website, www.martyhaugen.com.

You can purchase a copy of the song score and a copy of the original song recording from GIA Publications. 

You can purchase a piano score and copy of the instrumental recording of "All Are Welcome" (arranged and performed by Paul Tate) and the instrumental recording of "Kingsfold" (arranged and performed by Bobby Fisher) from GIA Publications. 

You can purchase a copy of the song score and original recording of "What Is This Place?" (composed by Huub Oosterhuis) from OCP. 

You can learn more about music ministry at St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco, California, by visiting their web page. There you can watch videos of their unique approach to inclusive congregational music ministry. 

You can read the article titled "The Beauty of Our Worship in the Liturgy" by Bishop Robert Morlino at the Catholic Herald website (Diocese of Madison). 

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All content of this podcast is property of Open Your Hymnal or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about this podcast and its use, please contact us.

Special Feature: "A Place Called Home" (Joncas)

During our interview, Fr. Michael Joncas shared one of his recent projects, a hymn text called "A Place Called Home". Listen to his description of the hymn, and then check it out using the links below. A powerful text matched with a familiar melody, this piece would make an easy and impactful addition to your congregation's repertoire. 

Feature links

You can purchase a copy of the song score and a copy of the audio recording from GIA Publications. The recording is featured on the album Songs of Mercy. 

You can watch a performance of the song by viewing the video recording of the "With Gratitude" concert, originally presented at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in February of 2017 (the presentation of the piece begins at the 1:03:50 mark).

You can request the resource Singing Welcome: Hymns and Songs of Hospitality for Refugees and Immigrants from The Hymn Society. 

All content of this podcast is property of Open Your Hymnal or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about this podcast and its use, please contact us.

"On Eagle's Wings"

The song "On Eagle's Wings" is everywhere: hymnals, YouTube, funerals and memorial services, and even PBS television specials. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview the song's composer, Fr. Michael Joncas, to learn more about the story of the song, the writing and publication process, and the song's legacy. There is even a surprise revelation about the connection between this beloved piece and Stephen Sondheim, and you don't want to miss it.

So, please open your hymnal to "On Eagle's Wings".

Episode links

For more information about Fr. Michael Joncas and his other compositions, visit his composer pages at World Library Publications, OCP, and GIA Publications.

You can purchase a copy of the song score and a copy of the original song recording from OCP.

You can purchase a copy of the live concert recording (performed in 1985) and a copy of the instrumental piano recording (arranged and performed by Paul Tate) from GIA Publications.

You can purchase a copy of the instrumental guitar recording (arranged and performed by Stephen Petrunak) from iTunes.

You can hear the United States Air Force Academy cadets sing "On Eagle's Wings" and watch Michael Crawford's live concert rendition on YouTube.

Don't forget to "subscribe" so you'll never miss an episode!

All content of this podcast is property of Open Your Hymnal 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.

Welcome!

Welcome to "Open Your Hymnal," a new podcast from Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert. 

The repertoire of music used at liturgy is vast and ever-growing. Even so, each of us has our favorites. Maybe it's a song that captures a particular image, or a song that brings back a special memory like a wedding or a funeral. 

In this podcast, we examine the most beloved, enduring, and consequential songs we sing at liturgy. We break open each song through conversation with composers, text writers, and other artists. We look into the scriptural sources of the text, the song writing process, and more.

Join us for our first full episode on May 2 where we will explore the song "On Eagle's Wings" with composer Fr. Michael Joncas.

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