"Canticle of the Turning"

Group shot! Podcast guests Jaime Cortez, David Haas, Rory Cooney, and Gary Daigle.  

Rory Cooney is a not only a gifted composer, he is also a prophetic writer of texts. In this interview, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with Rory about the background of one of his best-loved pieces, "Canticle of the Turning," to learn more about his theological and catechetical treatment of the Magnificat text. They also discuss the use of secular Irish folk melody with special guest, Ian Callanan, who joins the conversation from Ireland. 

So, please open your hymnal to "Canticle of the Turning."

Episode links

For more information about Rory Cooney and his other compositions, visit his composer pages at GIA Publications, OCP, and WLP. Also, be sure to check out his blog, "Gentle Reign". The specific blog post about this song is from August, 2014.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording from GIA Publications. Here you can also purchase the instrumental piano recording of "Canticle of the Turning" (by Paul Tate) as well as David Haas' setting of the Magnificat, "Holy is Your Name." You can purchase Fr. Michael Joncas' setting, "Mary's Song," and Carey Landry's song "Hail Mary: Gentle Woman" at OCP.

The recording of "Star of the County Down" by the Chieftains can be purchased on iTunes. You can find the recording of "For Christ the King (An Army of Youth)" on YouTube.

You can learn more about Ian Callanan's music by visiting his composer page at GIA publications.

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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.

"Night of Silence"

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," and Matt gets Zack to both play his guitar and sing for our listeners. Special guest appearances made by Rob Strusinski and 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.

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

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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.

"You Are All We Have"

Fr. Francis Patrick (Fran) O'Brien is the guest for our Thanksgiving episode, and everyone is invited! Fran shares with Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski his approach to text and melody, his musical influences, and what it's like to be both a liturgical composer and a parish pastor. Plus, there are lots of cameo appearances from Lucien Deiss, Alexander Peloquin, Stephen Sondheim, the cast of Hamilton, and (if you wait for it) Doc Severinsen. We'll need to get a bigger table!

So, please open your hymnal to "You Are All We Have."

Episode links

For more information about Fr. Fran O'Brien and his other compositions, visit his composer page at GIA Publications.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording from GIA Publications. Here you can also purchase the other Fr. Fran O'Brien song you heard in the episode: "How Deep the Riches," and "Nativity Carol." While at GIA, you can purchase "Gloria of the Bells" by Alexander Peloquin and "No Greater Love" by Fr. Michael Joncas. The song "Grant To Us" by Lucien Deiss can be purchased at World Library Publications. Finally, "City of God" by Dan Schutte can be purchased at OCP. 

The song "Alexander Hamilton" from the musical Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda), "Move On" from the musical Sunday in the Park with George (Stephen Sondheim), and "Johnny's Theme" (Doc Severinsen) can be purchased on iTunes. 

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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.

"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.