Holy God We Praise Thy Name

Holy God We Praise Thy Name - St. Patrick's Cathedral NYC - Stephan Tharp, organist.

Corpus Christi Cathedral

Corpus Christi Cathedral - The Lord is My Shepherd - Psalm 23

Faure's "Pie Jesu and Agnus Dei"

For Rev. Greg Labus and Rev. Eduardo Ortega may your ministry always serve God's Glory and may He bless you always. Amen.

King's College Cambridge - What Sweeter Music

What Sweeter Music by John Rutter performed by the King's College Cambridge. The melodic phrases and harmonies blend blissfully into pure light to summon the angels to adore as we all must. Thank you for your prayers may God Bless Us All. Amen.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor

What words may not speak, the organ alone commands. Diane Bish on the organ marvelously eloquent.

All Creatures of our God and King

These are the lyrics to the hymn as sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the video. What a glorious way to start this Memorial Day weekend. (HQ on the video provides a much higher quality audio. If you received this as an e-mail, you must go to the website to view the video. Enjoy!)

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, Alleluia
O burning sun with golden beams
O silver moon with softer sheen
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, O praise Him
Alleluia

O rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along
Alleluia, Alleluia
O rising morning praise, rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, O praise Him
Alleluia

O flowing water pure and clear
Make music for thy Lord to hear
Alleluia, Alleluia
Thou fire so masterful and bright
That gives to man both warmth and light
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, O praise Him
Alleluia

Sing bother earth who day by day
Unfoldest blessing on our way
Alleluia, Alleluia
O flowers and fruits that in the...
...story also show
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, O praise Him
Alleluia

National Cathedral in Washington

This is intended for the beginner organ enthusiast who may not know too much about the inner workings of a pipe organ. I hope that you find this enlightening as well as inspiring. Please share with your friends and all those who enjoy the beauty of the official instrument of the church. God Bless You. Let us all keep praying for each other.

Frederick Swann Festal Flourish at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Please share with others who may appreciate the majesty of the organ in the house of God. For all those of you who sing your praise to God and/or play to give Glory to the Almighty.

Olivier Latry Cathedral of Notre Dame

Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France. I know that I am usually talking about Texas...not today. Sometimes you just have to let the music transcend your soul. Enjoy.

Frederick Swann Trumpet Tune

Praise the Lord with trumpet and organ...

Prayer to St. Cecilia

Saint Cecilia, heroic martyr

Who stayed faithful to Jesus your divine bridegroom,

Give us faith to rise above our persecutors

And to see in them the image of our Lord.

We know that you were a musician

And are told that you heard angels sing.

Inspire musicians to gladden the hearts of people

By filling the air with God's gift of music and reminding them of

The Divine Musician Who created all beauty.

Amen.

Practice, Polish, Perfect...

As Americans, we often see things from a different view point than the rest of the world. If a song is twenty years old, it is a classic; never mind whether twenty years ago it was popular or not, it is still considered a classic. A few years ago, I had the rare opportunity to tour Europe with a church choral group. It was eye opening. What to us is antique or classic, doesn't compare in the "old world". One of the major differences I saw, was the still standard hymn usage for the assembly and the choral masterpiece for meditative prayer. It was a comfort to hear people of all types sing hymns older that the United States with still as much life and meaning as when they were first written.

In the U.S. we tend to sing songs of praise because they are in fashion or because they are the favorite (usually because the musician can play it) of the music group that is "performing" at church. I have on many occasions heard musicians/choir directors ask each other, "what are we singing today?" (usually 5 minutes before Mass begins). And we wonder, why we don't feel anything as Mass with regards to the music. As a church musician, I believe that music for the Liturgy (Mass) should be the best that we can offer. It should require practice, polishing, perfection, but never "performance". If it is performances that motivate a musician, than the church is NOT the place to do it. Music should be a service and offering to the Almighty who gave us the gift of music to use for His glory.

That is why we should do all that we can to preserve the beauty of traditional music for the assembly to join in sung prayer. The hymns should reflect (tie in with) the readings of the day and invite the congregation to pray (sing) the psalmody. If a choral piece is used, it is intended to uplift the silent prayer (meditation) during a special time in the Liturgy such as after communion as people kneel (not sit) in reverence after receiving the Eucharist (true Body of Christ).

Next time you see your church musician, first of all thank them for serving in a music ministry; second, tell them which songs you enjoy singing with them; third, ask them to sing an old favorite hymn so that your children and you do not lose the beauty of the classic favorite hymn heritage of our church, and if that musician is you...practice, polish, perfect, and serve. May God Bless You. St. Cecilia, pray for us.

St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians.

Amazing Grace

If words alone could lift the heart, then consider those uplifting phrases set to music. Since the creation of man, we have strived to give thanks, praise, honor, gratitude, glory, and love to our Lord. It seems that only through the silence of meditation; we may trully find His Word. Yet often we are swept away by a whisper of a song. The beating of our hearts pounds all the more loudly and our emotions soar as our spirits rise heavenward to embrace God...then trully it is His Amazing Grace that empowers us to seek and to find God through sung prayer. Sacred music is not words, nore notes, or even beautiful melodies. It is the union of mind, heart, spirit, and hope that helps us transend our daily existance and be brought out of darkness into the Holy Light. Therefore it is much more appropriate so say, "...I once was lost; but now am found, was blind; but now I see."