Catholic News

Read the reviews by Thom DeLessio.

Gerald Near is considered one of the finest composers of church music writing today. He first studied theory and composition at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago with Leo Sowerby, and continued those studies with Leslie Bassett at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While at the University of Michigan, he also studied organ with Robert Glasgow, published organ and choral music, and completed his Master's degree in orchestral conducting while studying under Gustav Meier.

Read the reviews by David Mathers.

Composer and organist David Cherwien shares his enthusiasm for using hymn introductions as an opportunity to encourage vibrant singing. He demonstrates how to evoke the meaning of the hymn with several creative improvisation techniques, most of which are accessible even to beginners. He encourages starting small and building up one's repertoire of improvisational techniques.

Tom Mueller joins Kelly Dobbs-Mickus to discuss insights into his widely varied musical influences, as well as his new organ publication with E. C. Schirmer Music: Seven Versets on Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How brightly beams the Morning Star). He shares details about the commissioners, the way each movement reflects a stanza of the original hymn text, the options for presentation in concert and liturgy, and some similarities to movements of 17th- and 18th-century French organ music.

Fr. James J. Chepponis, priest at St. John Capistran-Resurrection Parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA, and Director of Music for the diocese. He talks about two new pieces written for special occasions, sharing their textual and musical background and his intentions for performance and use.

David Ball, Cathedral Organist and Head of Music Ministry at Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, CA, shares practical tips about accompanying responsorial psalms and then demonstrates two examples with cantor Lauren McCaul, Cathedral Music Administrator.

Dr. Marie Rubis Bauer joins Kelly Dobbs Mickus in conversation about the St. Cecilia Organ Book by Charles Callahan. Dr. Bauer talks about the commission of the work by the St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, NE. She also talks about how the work is connected to the clerestory windows of the cathedral, how the work can be used as a teaching tool, and how the work was premiered at the St. Cecilia Cathedral.

Mark Lawson, President of MorningStar Music Publishers joins Kelly Dobbs-Mickus, Normand Gouin, and Dr. John Romeri in discussion about the Mass of the Transfiguration. Composed by Gouin and commissioned by Dr. Romeri, the Mass was written for the dedication of Christ Cathedral in Orange County, CA. This session was produced for the virtual NPM conference in 2020.

Read the reviews from Pastoral Music, NPM’s magazine November 2021 issue by William Gokelman.