Monday Morning - September 12

It's Monday again and it seems like time has flown this week.  Yesterday afternoon I had a rehearsal with the Adult Choir to get ready for the Bishop's visit.  The choir will sing two specially prepared pieces for this Mass.  One, a setting of the wonderful text "Jesu, the very thought of Thee" at the offertory.  The second, a setting of one of my favorite communion texts: "Anima Christi".  The offertory anthem is set by British composer/arranger Simon Lole, taken from the Oxford Easy Anthem collection.  The communion some might consider cheesy, but it is simple and sounds good.  Arranged by Charles Thatcher,  the text is the traditional prayer set to the Mode II psalm tone.  In between each verse Thatcher inserts little organ versets by French Classical composer Jean Titelouze (1562-1633).  The result is quite nice;  the polyphony of the organ versets contrasts wonderfully with the simple psalm-tone the choir sings. Perhaps it's a little too simple but, then again I've only had three rehearsals with them.  Moreover,  in the words of my organ professor, Pat Partridge,  "it makes the choir and the organ sound good!"  I'm looking forward to performing this with them on Wednesday evening.