Songs of Advent: "This is Your Justice"

Matt Reichert, Craig Colson, and Zack Stachowski at the 2018 NPM Convention in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Happy Advent! As we journey through this sacred season toward the celebration of Christ’s birth we are spending time revisiting some of our favorite Advent music. Today we feature a conversation with Craig Colson about his piece “This is Your Justice,” filled with references to texts from the prophet Isaiah. In addition to excerpts from our interview with Craig you’ll hear an extended playlist, journeying through new and familiar music for the season. Make sure to visit our social media pages for more Advent music, and make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss our upcoming Christmas special features, including the 2020 edition of our annual OYH Lessons and Carols.

So, please open your hymnals to “This is Your Justice” and the music of Advent!

Episode links

For more information about Craig Colson and his other compositions, visit his composer pages at GIA Publications and OCP.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "This is Your Justice” from GIA Publications. You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “People Look East” (arr. Sondra Tucker), “Why Don’t You Tear Apart the Heavens” (John L. Bell), “Maranatha, Lord Messiah” (Kathy Powell), “Preparen el Camino” (Fernando Rodriguez), “Cantaré Eternamente/Forever I Will Sing” (Mary Frances Reza), “Prepare the Way for the Coming of the Lord” (Jalonda Robertson), “Gaudete” (Albert Coppo), “Magnificat” (Janèt Sullivan Whitaker), “Your Light Will Come Jerusalem” (Bob Hurd), “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” (Kenneth Louis), and the instrumental arrangement of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” for organ and brass (arr. Sondra Tucker).

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All content of this podcast is property of Look Up Here Productions 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.

"Fly Like a Bird"

Matt Reichert, Ken Canedo, and Zack Stachowski (July, 2019)

Our Lenten journey continues with powerful personal witness from composer Ken Canedo. Join OYH hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Ken about his own return to the Church and how it led to the composition of one of his most beloved songs. They’ll also speak about Ken’s work chronicling the history of contemporary Catholic liturgical music, and Ken shares his experience as a person with hearing impairment. You won’t want to miss it!

So, please open your hymnal to "Fly Like a Bird."

Episode links

For more information about Ken Canedo and his other compositions, visit his composer page at OCP. Here you can also order his books, “Keep the Fire Burning” and “From Mountains High.”

You can help support this podcast by supporting our sponsors. For more information about the sponsors of this episode - Patrick J. Murphy & Associates organ builders, the book “God’s Cheerleaders” by author Paul Storm, and the album “God Never Tires” from composers Zack Stachowski and David Haas - visit their links.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "Fly Like a Bird” from OCP.

You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: “Holy Holy” from “Mass of Glory” (Ken Canedo and Bob Hurd), piano instrumental of “Fly Like a Bird" (arr. The O’Neill Brothers), “Akwaaba! Welcome!" (ValLimar Jansen, Ken Canedo, Sarah Kroger, Ben Walther, Greg Walton), “Hear, O Lord” (Ray Repp), “You’ve Searched Me” (David Haas), “As the Eagle Soars and Circles” (Kathy Powell), “Gather Your People” (Bob Hurd), and “For the Sake of Christ” (Ken Canedo). 

You can listen to “God is Love” by Fr. Clarence Rivers on YouTube.

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All content of this podcast is property of Look Up Here Productions 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.

"Many and Great"

Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, and Matt Reichert

It's been a busy summer for Open Your Hymnal - conferences, travel, new interviews, new partnerships. Now, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert return from their summer break to a conversation with composer Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, about his song "Many and Great." They discuss musical style, cultural idioms, compositional influence, cultural identity, and more! They also introduce a new segment - the "Open Your Hymnal Playlist" - featuring songs Zack and Matt picked that relate to one of the conversation threads from the episode. 

So, please open your hymnal to "Many and Great."

Episode links

For more information about Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, and his other compositions, visit his composer page at OCP and his personal website. 

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "Many and Great" from OCP. You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: "At Dawn" (Steve Petrunak), "Pan de Vida" (Bob Hurd), "Someone in a Tree" (Stephen Sondheim), "By the Waking of Our Hearts" (Fr. Ricky Manalo), "Ki Ri Su To No" (arr. Lori True), "They'll Know We Are Christians" (arr. Paul Tate), "This Is How" (Chris de Silva), and "Pie Jesu" (Fr. Ricky Manalo). 

Find out more about Santa Clara University, where Fr. Ricky teaches, at the college website. 

You can read more about the film director Akira Kurosawa at the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) and Wikipedia. 

Find out more about the pastoral response to the Asian and Pacific Islander community, Asian and Pacific Islander affairs, and cultural diversity in the Church at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website. 

Learn more about the Living Bread Radio Network by visiting their website. You can also find out more about your local Catholic radio station by visiting the Catholic Radio Association. Here you'll find the "Catholic Radio Travel Guide," a listing of every Catholic radio station in the country! 

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.

"Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo"

Jaime Cortez has dedicated a significant portion of his ministry to promoting Hispanic liturgies and bringing cultures together. In this conversation with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert, Jaime shares the story of the beginnings of his working relationship with Bob Hurd, provides insight into composing bilingual music, and shares some of the intricacies of incorporating musical idioms into his liturgical compositions. This is another "must listen" conversation for anyone involved in a multi-cultural faith community.

So, please open your hymnal to "Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo."

Episode links

For more information about Jaime Cortez and his other compositions, visit his composer page at OCP.  

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording from OCP. Here you can also purchase the other Jaime Cortez songs you heard in the episode: "Rain Down," "Psalm 126: The Lord Has Done Great Things," and "Ven, Espiritu Santo." The recording of "Pueblo de Dios" and "Alleluia, Give the Glory" by Bob Hurd and "Bread of Life" by Rory Cooney can be purchased from OCP.

You can find out more about the One Call Institute 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 the podcast and its use, please contact us.

"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).

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.