"We've Come This Far By Faith:" Celebrating Black Sacred Music

Leon Roberts

We’re focusing on the rich heritage of the Black sacred music tradition, and we’re blessed to be joined by two important voices: Leon Roberts (recorded in a presentation from 1985), and Lynne Gray. Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert for an exploration of the treasury of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs. You’ll hear lots of standard and familiar music, and you’ll also hear selections from several contemporary composers.

So, please open your hymnals!

Lynne Gray

Episode links

You can find out more about the work of Leon Roberts by visiting his composer pages at OCP and GIA Publications. You can find out more about Lynne Gray and her work by visiting St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

The recording of Leon Roberts’ presentation was from the 1985 convention of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. You can find out more about the work of NPM by visiting www.npm.org.

You can purchase the song recordings you heard in this episode: “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” (Goodson), “With Hands Lifted Up” (traditional), “Traditional Prayer with Moans” (anonymous), “Deep River” (anonymous), “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (traditional), “The Solid Rock (My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)” (Mote), “Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee” (Wesley), “Lead Me, Guide Me” (Akers), “We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace” (Hatter), “The Lord is Blessing Me Right Now” (traditional), “Taste and See” (Moore), “Psalm 27: The Lord is My Light” (Harbor), “Lord, I Love You (God is So Good)” (Jansen), “Hail, Queen of Heaven” (Holland), “Holy, Holy, Holy” from the Mass of New Beginnings (Petty), “You’re the One” (Roberts).

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"City of God"

Zack Stachowski, Dan Schutte, Matt Reichert (NPM 2018)

We are kicking off a new year with our second conversation with Dan Schutte! In this episode, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with Dan about his song, “City of God.” They talk about its origins as an Advent song, the musical structure of the piece, the importance of the St. Louis Jesuits in forming a generation of guitar players, and more.

So, please open your hymnal to "City of God."

Episode links

For more information about Dan Schutte and his other compositions, visit his composer page at OCP. You can also visit his website at www.danschutte.com. 

You can help support this podcast by supporting our sponsors. For more information about the sponsor of this episode, Simply Liturgical Music, visit www.slmusic.org.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "City of God” from OCP.

You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “Gloria from Mass of Light” (David Haas), piano instrumental of “City of God" (arr. Jon Sarta), “I Will Give You Rest" (David Haas), “Sing a New Church” (NETTLETON, text by Sr. Delores Dufner, OSB), “What Have We Done for the Poor Ones?” (Lori True), “This Alone” (Tim Manion), and “Blest Be the Lord” (Dan Schutte). 

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OYH Lessons & Carols, 2018

“The Nativity,” from The Saint John’s Bible

We are closing out Advent with our fourth release, our first ever “OYH Lessons & Carols.” You’ll hear a range of great music from a variety of composers. You’ll also hear readings woven throughout, read by friends of the podcast: David Haas, Jes Garceau, Audrey Reichert, Carol Browning, and Jesse Manibusan. Whether you listen while driving in the car, baking Christmas cookies, preparing for liturgy, or anyplace else, we hope that this celebration will serve as a moment of pause and reflection during this busy time of year.

So, please open your hymnals!

Episode links

You can purchase the song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (arr. Petrunak), “Gaudete” (arr. Haas), piano instrumental “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (arr. Tate), “Great Joy” (Haas), “Where the Promise Shines” (Moore), piano instrumental “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (arr. Tate), “More Lovely Than the Rose” (Kreutz), “Christmas Love” (Ridge), “Ecce Novum” (Gjeilo), guitar instrumental “Silent Night” (arr. Petrunak), “Still, Still, Still” (arr. Eicker), “Nativity Carol” (O’Brien), “Infant Holy” (arr. Coman), guitar instrumental “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (arr. Roth), “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Angotti), “By Star and Candlelight” (Powell), “Wake from Your Sleep” (Schutte), guitar instrumental “I Wonder as I Wander” (arr. Roth), “Verbum Caro” (anon.), “We Do Not Know” (Bell, arr. Alonso), “Come Weal, Come Woe” (Foley), “For Unto Us a Child is Born” (Handel), organ arrangement of “Joy to the World” (arr. Newman).

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"Creator of the Stars of Night"

Zack Stachowski, Carol Browning, and Matt Reichert (Los Angeles, 2018)

Advent is going fast, but it’s not over yet! Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Carol Browning about “Creator of the Stars of Night.” Bob Moore stops by to talk about Carol’s music, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, gives some historical background to the 1,000-year-old chant hymn at the core of this piece. Plus, you’ll hear a bunch of great music in the OYH Playlist.

So, please open your hymnal to "Creator of the Stars of Night."

Episode links

For more information about Carol Browning and her other compositions, visit her composer pages at GIA Publications, MorningStar Music, and Liturgical Press.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "Creator of the Stars of Night” from GIA Publications. You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “Gloria from Mass of Light” (David Haas), “Silent Night" (arr. Steve Petrunak), organ recording of “Creator of the Stars of Night” (arr. John Keys), "Conditor Alma Siderum" (traditional), "Ubi Caritas" (Carol Browning), "O God, Behold Your Family Here" (Bob Moore), “Christ, Circle Round Us" (Dan Schutte), “Peace be With Those” (Carol Browning), “Carol of the Dawn” (Janet Sullivan Whitacre), “Ave Generosa” (Ola Gjielo), and “People Look East” (arr. Marty Haugen). 

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Songs of Mary

It’s another very special themed episode of OYH! To commemorate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we’re playing some of our favorite Marian songs and hymns. We’ll play a lot of music, in a lot of different styles, including liturgical and devotional music. You’ll hear songs celebrating Mary as servant, as mother, as queen, as intercessor, and Marian songs from around the world. You’ll hear, too, from a few of our friends as they share their favorite Marian songs.

So, please open your hymnals!

Episode links

You can purchase the song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “Gloria from Mass of Light” (David Haas),” “Holy is Your Name” (Haas), “Sing Out, My Soul” (Whitacre), “Among All” (de Silva), “Maria Era Su Nombre” (Perez), “Alma Redemptoris Mater” (tr. chant), “No Wind at the Window” (Bell), “On This Day, O Beautiful Mother” (Lambillotte), “Salve Regina” (arr. Proulx), “Hail, Holy Queen” (traditional), “Mary, Queen of the Poor” (Ridge), “Ave Maria” (Kantor), “On the Lips of an Angel/Ave Maria” (Soper/Bach/Gounod), “Song of Mary” (Schutte), “The Memorare” (Hess), “Las Apariciones Guadalupanas” (traditional), “Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri” (Hantiveros), “Serdeczna Matko” (traditional), “O Sanctissima” (traditional), and “Immaculate Mary” (traditional).

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OYH Selects: "Night of Silence"

Matt Reichert, Dan Kantor, and Zack Stachowski (Minneapolis, 2017)

Did you know that 2018 is the 200th birthday of the song “Silent Night?” To celebrate both this important anniversary and the start of the Advent season, we are re-releasing our interview with Dan Kantor about his song, “Night of Silence.” You’ll hear the same great interview from 2017, but with added features like the OYH Playlist segment.

Dan Kantor's song, "Night of Silence," has been sung and celebrated in churches and concert halls around the world. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert chat with Dan about writing vivid text, creating harmonic structure, and the importance of celebrating Advent. We also learn new words like "Quod Libet," Matt gets Zack to both play his guitar and sing for our listeners, Rob Strusinski shares his memories of this song’s origins, and we explore the importance of Advent with a reflection written by Rachel Held Evans.

So, please open your hymnal to "Night of Silence."

Episode links

For more information about Dan Kantor and his other compositions, visit his composer page at GIA Publications. You can find more information about his music and other projects at his personal website: www.danielkantor.com.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording from GIA Publications. You can purchase the instrumental guitar recording of "Silent Night" (by Steve Petrunak) and the other version of "Night of Silence" (from David Haas' album "Star Child") at GIA Publications. The concert version of "Night of Silence" was performed by Yvonne Kenny and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and can be purchased from iTunes. You can also purchase the instrumental harp recording of "Silent Night" from iTunes. You can also purchase the songs you heard during the OYH Playlist: “God of Music, Guide Our Song” (Kantor), “Warm the Time of Winter” (True), “When He Comes” (Brown), “On the Lips of an Angel/Ave Maria” (Soper).

Dan has produced an entire website dedicated to the song "Night of Silence" and the season of advent. You can find it at www.nightofsilence.com. 

The blog post by Rachel Held Evans can be found on her website: www.rachelheldevans.com/blog/unsentimental-advent

You can purchase a copy of “The Bible Story of Christmas,” with narration by Bing Crosby, from World Library Publications.

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Celebrating Hymns, Part 1

Dr. Michael McMahon

It’s the first OYH Hymn Fest! In honor of the Feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of music, we’re celebrating some of our favorite hymn texts and hymn tunes. We’ll play a lot of music, including hymns from the English, German, Irish, and American traditions and some recently composed texts and tunes. We’ll also chat with special guests Dr. Michael McMahon (executive director of The Hymn Society), Brian Hehn (director of the Center for Congregational Song), and Dr. Tony Alonso. You’ll hear, too, from a few of our friends as they share their favorite hymns.

Brian Hehn

As we mention in the episode, this is the first of several special episodes we’ll release this season. We’ll be preparing and releasing special episodes for “Songs of Mary,” “Songs of Christmas,” “Songs of Lent,” “Songs of Easter,” as well as episodes focusing on women composers and African American composers. Be sure to follow us on social media so you can share your requests with us. Who knows? You might end up on one of our episodes!

So, please open your hymnals!

Dr. Tony Alonso

Episode links

For more information about the work of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada and the Center for Congregational Song, visit their websites. To find out more information about your favorite hymns, check out the website hymnary.org.

You can purchase the song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “Gloria from Mass of Light” (David Haas),” “When in Our Music God is Glorified” (ENGELBERG), “For All the Saints” (SINE NOMINE), “Rejoice the Lord is King” (DARWALL), “For the Beauty of the Earth” (DIX), “O God Beyond All Praising” (THAXTED), “Holy God, We Praise They Name” (GROSSER GOTT), “O Sacred Head Surrounded” (PASSION CHORALE), “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” (HYMN TO JOY), “Lord of All Hopefulness” (SLANE), “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” (ST. COLUMBA), “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” (DOXOLOGY), “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” (HOLY MANNA), “How Great Thou Art” (O STORE GUD), “A Place Called Home” (FINLANDIA), “Earth and All Stars” (EARTH AND ALL STARS), and “Soli Deo Gloria” (SOLI DEO GLORIA).

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"My Soul is Thirsting"

Matt Reichert, Steve Angrisano, and Zack Stachowski (NPM Baltimore, 2018)

You likely knew that composer Steve Angrisano is very talented musician and speaker. But, did you also know that he’s a great foot washer? It’s just one of the many things we discussed when we discussed his setting of Psalm 63, “My Soul is Thirsting.” Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Steve about songwriting, contemporary music, family ministry, mentorship, and what the Church gets wrong about young people. We’ll also get a little closer to answering the question that’s been on all of our minds: just how big of a nerd was Zack in high school? It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!

So, please open your hymnal to "My Soul is Thirsting."

Episode links

For more information about Steve Angrisano and his other compositions, visit his composer page at OCP. You can also visit his personal website: www.steveangrisano.com.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "My Soul is Thirsting” from OCP. You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “Gloria from Mass of Light” (David Haas),” At Dawn" (Steve Petrunak), piano recording of “My Soul is Thirsting” (arr. Jon Sarta), "Entrance Antiphon for the Second Sunday of Easter" (Fr. Columba Kelly, OSB), "Go Make a Difference" (Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek), "A Rightful Place" (Steve Angrisano), “Here I Am to Worship" (Tim Hughes), “I Am the Bread of Life” (Steve Angrisano and Tom Booth), “Psalm 63: Mi Alma Esta Sedienta de Ti” (Donna Pena), “Voices that Challenge” (David Haas,” and “You Are the Way” (Steve Angrisano). 

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"No Greater Love"

Matt Reichert, Fr. Michael Joncas, and Zack Stachowski (July, 2018)

We’re welcoming Fr. Michael Joncas back to speak about another one of his best-loved compositions: “No Greater Love.” While many know this popular song, not everyone knows that it was composed as part of a full Mass setting. So, there are a lot of layers to today’s episode: orchestral Mass settings, setting Scripture to music, using chant-like melodies, the effect of changes to the Mass translation, and what it means to compose “theatrical” liturgical music. We’ll discuss all of these with Fr. Michael, and explore them further with additional choices in the Open Your Hymnal Playlist.

So, please open your hymnal to "No Greater Love."

Episode links

For more information about Fr. Michael Joncas and his other compositions, visit his composer pages at GIA, OCP, and WLP. You can also visit his faculty page at the University of St. Thomas.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "No Greater Love” from GIA Publications. You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “Gloria from Mass of Light” (David Haas),” At Dawn" (Steve Petrunak), "What is This Place" (Oosterhuis), "Live on in My Love" (Tom Franzak), "Mary’s Song" (Fr. Michael Joncas), and "Heart of a Shepherd" (Rory Cooney). 

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OYH Selects: "On Eagle's Wings"

Fr. Michael Joncas

Open Your Hymnal is making its debut on Catholic radio tomorrow (September 1st)! To celebrate, we are releasing a re-mastered version of our very first podcast episode, "On Eagle's Wings," with composer Fr. Michael Joncas. The re-release includes the addition of our newest feature, the Open Your Hymnal Playlist, and more. Please enjoy this episode, originally released in May 2017!

[From the original episode posting]: 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 by Fr. Michael Joncas, Marty Haugen, and David Haas in 1985) and a copy of the instrumental piano recording (arranged and performed by Paul Tate) from GIA Publications.

You can purchase song recordings for the pieces you heard on OYH Playlist: "The Lord is My Light" (David Haas), "Be With Me Lord" (Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan), "Rorate Caeli" and "Deep and Lasting Peace" (Fr. Michael Joncas). 

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.

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