4th Sunday of Advent

In Contemporary Catholic Circles we try very hard to keep Advent where it should be, a wonderful preparation for the coming of Christ. Catholic music for Advent was much more extensive in the past than it seems to be today. The Chabanel psalms, while Contemporary Catholic songs, draw from the rich past of both Hebrew and Catholic tradition.

So, in that spirit, as it is the the 4th Week of Advent still, I have left in my recording of the psalm for this  week, but I've followed it up here with the Psalms for the Christmas Midnight Mass. I hope that you might listen to each one in its time ! :-)

4th Sunday of Advent Cycle A - Psalm 24

Christmas - Psalm 96

4th Sunday of Advent

 Let the Lord Enter; He is King of Glory!

Advent is a wonderful time to celebrate the wonderful chant found in both traditional and contemporary Catholic music!
Please give me your feedback of this Catholic music video! and have  a Blessed Advent!

4th Sunday of Advent Cycle A - Psalm 24

Sing to the Lord a New Song!

"Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds." The responsorial psalm for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is sung by Robert Metivier, with photos by Terry Modica, for Good News Ministries (http://gnm.org) in connection with podcasts of the Good News Reflections.

Immaculate Conception - Psalm 98

Have a blessed Advent!

Here is my version of the Chabanel Psalm for the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Advent is a very special time for Catholic music, distinct from Christmas, but in preparation for it.

2nd Sunday of Advent Cycle A - Psalm 72

Scattered Monkeys - “An Insiders Perspective on the Evolving Music Industry”

The premise of this blog is that the landscape of the music industry has fundamentally and permanently changed. Christina sees musicians metaphorically as wolves who were accustomed to an environment where the means of survival (the prey so to speak, for lack of a better word) is gone and new potential "prey" abound, which we are incapable of catching alone. The new paradigm (sorry: 90's word there! :-) is to group together rather than being "lone wolves", to develop new niche markets in common with one another. Here is the article. You will enjoy it.

If you are Contemporary Christian or Contemporary Catholic musician and would like to see new ways of achieving this, please respond to this post! That's a good first start.

The Future of the Church

The future of the Church has a great bearing on the future of liturgical music, but also on life and culture at large in our 21st Century! As a voice of God's presence in the world, the Catholic Church needs greatly to stay the course and finish the race

This particular sermon recently given by Fr. Thomas Rosica, (the CEO of Salt and Light Catholic media) on vocations so powerfully speaks to the future of the Church, the future of Catholic music, and on pastoral leadership. This is a full homily, so it is a bit long, but well worth the read!

James MacMillan and the new music for the Pope's visit

Recently the Pope visited the British Isles. For this visit Scottish composer James MacMillan was commissioned to write the setting for a new Mass for celebration with the Pope. This is no minor event to be asked to compose for. Below is his story of the trials and tribulations of such an effort. It shows us some of the realities that we are currently dealing with in the Church and its understanding of how we move forward:

James McMillan

Mixing and Mastering

I love this saying by Bob Katz, one of the best audio mastering experts in the music business. This is so true!

In an answer to a question on proper use of balance and reverb, Bob states: "Do I realize how much work it is? For sure, for sure---the last 10% of the job takes 90% of the time, all the time. So, if you think you're 90% done in your recording/mixing job, book almost the same amount of time to get it done if you want it to sound "good enough"! It's the basic principle of any artistic/perfectionist profession. Welcome to the club." So, when you hear that not quite optimized piece of music that is "90%", know what that final bit costs in effort!

InsideCatholic.com | Crash Call | Feature | Articles

Among all the things, I decided to take a "forced" personal retreat at my home yesterday and today. The future of Contemporary Catholic music can wait for a day or two :). I don't think that it will fail without me! :-)

So, I'm sitting back after watering plants and flowers and I find this article. Hmmm.... maybe God really is trying to tell me something, and I really DO have to LISTEN. It's so ironic that Listen is the first song on my first CD, yet I have to constantly remind myself that this is where it all begins.

InsideCatholic.com | Crash Call | Feature | Articles

And listening does change perspective.

Rhema Marvanne

Here is an amazing video of 7 year old Rhema Marvanne singing Amazing Grace! A friend sent this to me and it is astonishing! Take a minute, watch and listen! Let me know your thoughts!


Rhema Marvanne - 'Amazing Grace' REVISED 6/11 from Black Olive Media.com on Vimeo.

He's Catholic, a musician, and hopes his music leads listeners to silence

Matt Maher is a Catholic and a musician, but he does not want to be known as a Catholic Musician. His Catholic faith comes through his music because he is writing from his authentic walk with Christ. Matt also understands the incredible ways that music can draw you into personal silence before God. Check out this page from CatholicSpirit.com and listen in for a minute!

I personally like his direction. Give us your thoughts and perspective!

K-LOVE - Matt Maher "Alive Again" LIVE

Catholic Music “Empowered by the Spirit: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives”

The eXaudio and Contemporary Catholic Singer/songwriter Jesse Manibusan will be the featured musicians at the Catholic Youth Spectacular held on the grounds of the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT. Check out the details at The Catholic Transcript. eXaudio is a new name to me, but they are very regarded by the promoters of the event. Jesse Manibusan is a well-known name among Contemporaty Catholic musicians.

Catholic Music- New Catholic Acoustic Rock

There is a new Catholic Acoustic Rock duo by the name of The Jacob's Well Experience who are about to release their first 5 song EP. The duo is Paul Davis and Justin Combs. You can check out their new website at http://thejacobswellexpereince.com. Having worked on various music projects since 2004 and traveling with some well known Catholic musicians, you might find them interesting to look into !

Catholic Music- Catholic Woodstock in Calgary

When Roman Catholic priest Father Krystian Golisz moved to St. Rita's parish in the Rockyford area about a year ago, he was struck by one thing.

It was the open spaces found in the village located northeast of Calgary, about halfway between the city and Drumheller.

"I was looking at the parish and I saw the open space. I said 'what a great idea to have a Woodstock here -- a Catholic Woodstock in Rockyford.' I was sharing it with other people and others started to think about it," says Golisz.

From there was born the idea of having the One Rock festival out there on Saturday, Aug. 21

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Catholic+Woodstock+will+rock+Prairies/3371880/story.html#ixzz0vwfk95JR

Audrey Assad

There is a new, young artist getting quite a lot of attention these last few weeks in Catholic Youth and Young Adult circles. She has a wonderful voice and musical presence. She reminds me of Amy Grant in her early days. (I guess that shows my age, and I still like Amy's music.

This new artist is Audrey Assad, and she was a big hit at the latest Steubenville conference in Georgia. I think she is going to be here for a long time to come. You might want to give her a listen!

New Life Whispers

Awhile back I started a group on 4marks.com called Catholic Music. One of my acquaintances there is Matthew Baute. He just released a new video that I think is just wonderful. Check it out, and you also might visit his website, purchase his music and help support his wonderful ministry! It is entitled New Life Whispers and represents some of the best new Contemporary Catholic music for reflection.

Artists Find Spiritual Collaboration

Artists Find Spiritual Collaboration

Their music and style is very different. The themes of the poems range from an unborn child to a man dying in the electric chair to the beauty of creation on a placid sea.

Poet, Dolores Thompson lives in the south, central mountains of New Mexico. Composer, Karsten Klemme lives in Salzbergen, Germany.

Their music and poems are exchanged totally through the means of the internet.

That their joy may be complete… «

On the ever-developing discussion of what styles of music are appropriate for liturgy! A well thought out first step in this discussion that looks at what brings joy to each individual in their musical expression of faith.

This article is written by a Catholic young adult and youth director, who lives with these questions every day, and brings an interesting perspective to the  mix.

That their joy may be complete… «

BBC - Christian Music News: July 2010

New music releases coming out in the United Kingdom

The Catholic Herald recently reported that Marilla Ness drew crowds from near and far for her first ever event in Scotland - held in support of the persecuted church.

BBC - Christian Music News: July 2010

Blindness won't stop the music for Catholic Vikcy Kolman

Vicky Kolman from Colorado Springs chooses to deepen her faith and her music ministry rather than dwell on her disability. She is an example of the way that new music can be encouraging and inspiring to others. Check out this article in the Gazette.

New Media and Evangelization

New music is an integral part of the new media evangelization efforts of the Catholic Church. This interview with Rev. Robert Barron gives some interesting insights into a fruitful approach to that effort.

Fr. Barron comments on New Media and Evangelization

The New Music Seminar July 19-21, 2010 NYC

If you are interested in where the world of music is going in the next few years, consider going to the New Music Seminar in NYC:

The New Music Seminar (July 21, 2009 in NYC)

In this time of very rapid and discontinuous change, this is the place to be to hear from the pundits of the industry and make new connections as an independent artist/

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke predicts end of music industry

Thom Yorke, RadioHead's lead singer, is quoted in a Brit textbook as saying that the music industry may only have months to live, and that it will be no great loss when it ends.

What are your thoughts? Has the industry waited too long to respond to the market in ways that are compelling or have value? What was the last music that you bought, and how did you buy it? What would you like to see happen next?

Please leave your comments when you can. The future of music in the balance!? :-)

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke predicts end of music industry

Future of Music Coalition

The Future of Music Coalition will have it Policy Summit on October 3-5, 2010 in Washington, D.C.  In ten years of fighting for musicians, they, as so many, have noticed a tremendous change in the music landscape. This has created tremendous challenges and opportunities for musicians as they struggle to find access to the market. As old business models are disrupted, there is also a renaissance of new approaches that show promise.

The Future of Music Coalition celebrates it 10th Anniversary at this Summit, focused on the artists' development,so that their talent and creativity can find expression in emerging markets. Early registration for this event, being held on the campus of Georgetown University, is currently $169.00.  Click here to register.

What are your thoughts on the future of music and efforts like FOMC to shape that future?

Digg!

Just yesterday this blog moved to page 2 under contemporary music on Digg! Thank you to those who have such an interest in making a difference in the level of musical art in our culture!
I would invite all of you to comment on the directions that you would like to see us explore at:
 Impacting our culture: a new direction in contemporary music.
 
http://digg.com/search/page2?s=contemporary+music

Ave Maria

Our Ave Maria has crossed over the 1,000 views! Ave Maria Bob and Nancy Metivier w/ Terry Modica

Ave Maria

Incredible version of Ubi Caritas by Durufle by Choir of King's College

The Choir of King's College is almost always wonderful in their presentation of sacred music. This performance of Durufle's Ubi Caritas is no exception!

Ubi Caritas

Technorati

I've just registered and been approved on  Technorati !

I'm very excited about being a part of this powerful engine for finding new and exciting ideas in the blogosphere!

Roman Catholic Religion blog: on Catholic Songs

JUST when you think no one is listening and the new music is not what folks are looking for, you get a review from a blogger like Raphael's Helper
Thank you, James Pereira!

Harnessing the Restorative Power of Music By Carl Sherman

This is an amazing story of the recent
developments in music therapy for restoring the brain.... SO I guess
music saved my life, huh?

Let me know what you know about this fascinating field after you check this out

Music and Stroke Recovery

There is some very important work being done in the field of neurology in
Boston, Mass on the use of music to rebuild pathways in the brain for patients
suffering from aphasia. check it out!

Harnessing the Restorative Power of Music By Carl Sherman

This is an amazing story of the recent developments in music therapy for restoring the brain.... SO I guess music saved my life, huh?

Let me know what you know about this fascinating field

Exploring How Music Works Its Wonders This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession

A small professional cohort of experimentally oriented researchers is studying music and musical behaviors. Their research is widely dispersed in dusty journals, but the aggregate findings are genuinely informative about how music works its wonders. check this out:

Ave Maria

Someone has been prompting me to remember Mary and her role in the recovery of the Church and our culture. Many think that Marian devotions are outdated, no longer contemporary. And yet how can this be true? If she protects the Church in one age, she can do so in the current age. Maybe we have to look with new eyes, and understand what her meaning to our lives is today in our current culture.

Today is a sad day in Oklahoma with a lot of flooding. My nephew Michael was flooded out of his home, among many others. So, it seemed like a day to ask Mary to help us, her children, "contemporary" and "postmodern" yes, but still her children. So please watch me this video that we released earlier: Ave Maria. and pray it with me.

Ave Maria

Whole Life Videos on YouTube

Check out this little video on the life story of Andrea Bocelli. Another of those surprises that we don't hear about enough:

Whole Life Videos on YouTube

Deacon Joe's Dialogue

There is a friend and co-worker, Deacon Joe Forgue, that I turn to for many of my musings regarding the relevancy of particular musical expressions for liturgical and para-liturgical uses. We both believe, as Gabriel Moran has so elegantly stated, that God continues to reveal Himself to us in new, exciting and creative ways. I express this personally through my continuing work with music of all types from ancient to postmodern.  I hopefully can in this process help others relate to this "Revealing God".

Deacon Joe expresses himself more directly in dialogue in theology, philosophy, and stretching other's ability to think and talk about God. I sincerely believe you will enjoy engaging him at his new blog: Deacon Joe's Dialogue.

Check it out sometime soon and let me know what your thoughts are!

Catholic Music Facebook

Come join Catholic Music on Facebook and give us your thoughts and opinions on Catholic music within and apart from the Mass and other liturgical functions. We would like your opinions on where we are going in the Church and what might be most effective, especially for youth and young adults,but really for all of us!

Gregorian Chant

f you are ever interested in Catholic blogs addressing Gregorian Chant and other Catholic music, check this out:

Gregorian Chant

I've recently completed two compositions based on Chant, Puer Natus Est and Crucem Tuam; I'm strongly considering Adoro Te Devote and Veni Creator Spiritus . That would be 4, but I really want to eventually complete a 10 composition CD. They say that this is out of date these days, but I want to do it anyway. Please comment on the blog your favorite chants for me to consider. And I will keep you posted, as I continue to try to blend postmodern music with ancient chant.

Corpus Christi

This is the feast of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi. Two members of our choir, Shirley White on violin and Kathy Kenney as soloist, performed Panis Angelicus by Cesar Franck accompanied by our organist, Nancy Metivier. the parish really enjoyed the song, and asked for more, saying that they felt that they were truly at Mass today. For a reflection on  Corpus Christi and Transformation, please visit this blog. I hope that you the enjoy the blog as much as the parish enjoyed this song!

There are new artists coming up, some musicians, others poets. This young man, Preston Michael Losack, is both.

http://www.facebook.com/bob.metivier#!/notes/preston-michael-losack/the-ship/406124946177

Are you a music producer?

Check out this note from immitter.com and tell me: are you a music producer?

Gregorian Chant inspired compositions

The songs Crucem Tuam and Puer Natus Est are new instrumental songs based on ancient Gregorian Chant. Listen in and see if you can tell the original chant from the newly composed parts. Sometimes I forget! :-) Check it out at Bandcamp.com


My facebook page for music is Bob Metivier's Music

http://ncronline.org/news/politics/robin-hood-sword-and-magna-carta

http://ncronline.org/news/politics/robin-hood-sword-and-magna-carta

I've always been a fan of Russell Crowe's work, but this in particular should be very timely. The social justice message, whether you agree or not, of this story should be considered once again.

Musical Experiment

Ok, here is a test to see where tastes are now. In the last few days, I've uploaded to my bandcamp site two of my original compositions. One you would call chant-inspired classical music, the other is psalm-inspired acoustic pop/Contemporary Christian.

You can find them both on bobmetivier.bandcamp.com at these addresses:
Puer Natus Est
Lord, Send Out Your Spirit

Then, if you like either or both, could you go to my facebook account and let me know! That would be wonderful and help me to determine what my readers see/hear as the future of their music tastes.

My facebook page for music is Bob Metivier's Music

Hypebot

If you accept that music, art and media are effected by the environment in which they were created, then the quantum shifts caused by technology and the net are changing not just the way art is consumed, but also how it is created and the perspective of the creators. That's the premise explored in the forthcoming documentary PressPausePlay. According to the film's web site:

Technology Immitter

Immitter is a new Internet Music Transmitter site. It was recently demo'ed by its CEO at a major conference in Los Angeles and is in alpha as we speak.

It is a first look at the future of new media for music.  Immitter (i′mid·ər) is the first radio that any musician can contribute to and any listener can influence - A Social Radio. Look for the official launch in 2010. Here's a quick lighthearted explanation mocking the "plain english" series.

http://www.facebook.com/bob.metivier#!/video/video.php?v=560864775783&subj=45201456

Crucem Tuam

I finally released Crucem Tuam as the first new song from an upcoming release entitled, Embraced by the Spirit. You can hear on the media player here or by checking it out bobmetivier.bandcamp.com or on my facebook account! Let me know what you think! It will also shortly be on Amazon and iTunes.

The Sixty One - site for listeners

Here is another new site that I think you might find interesting!

https://www.thesixtyone.com/artist/bobmetivier/settings/password/?force_refresh=true&base_url=%2Fartist%2Fbobmetivier%2Fsongs%2F&per_page&page&song_position=0&cur_song_progress=121164.80725623583#/bobmetivier/

New internet radio options

As terrestrial radio languishes, we are seeing all kinds of new ways to find new music. One I'm working with as an artist is in alpha I cannot disclose here yet, but keep watching. It is coming soon!

Then there are sites such as www.bandcamp.com and www.hypem.com that are fun to snoop around in for new music as well!

Richard Proulx and RIchard Hillert

The recent passing of Richard Proulx and Richard Hillert has caused me to reflect on the extraordinary gifts that these two great men have given to us. Even though both wrote widely in many genres, I firmly believe that their greatest inspiration came in providing wonderful settings of liturgical materials for the congregation. Both of these men believed strongly that average, everyday people should sing the liturgy and that it shouldn’t just be left to the professionals. It makes me think of the way Paul Manz used to talk about inspiring the congregation to sing and how thrilling it is to sing with full voiced gusto on the great hymns of faith.

In many churches, I think we have shortchanged the congregation and have given more of our attention to the choirs. Educating the congregation and teaching them how to sing is no easy matter, but is certainly worth every minute we can give to helping them fully engage in the church's song.

Some helpful suggestions include:


· Print brief histories of hymns and tunes used in the service on an insert in the worship folder.

· Look for concertatos and descants that engage both the choir and the congregation.

· Vary the accompaniments from full organ to a cappella singing, and incorporate various instruments for introductions or descants.

· Use readings such as those in From Glory Into Glory to set up the hymn and give added thought.


These are just a few suggestions. There are obviously many more, but the important thing is to give congregational singing added attention and priority. If we follow the model of those who have recently gone before us, it is worth our very best gifts.


Mark W. Lawson,

President

MorningStar Music Publishers

Gerard Faucheux

Gerard Faucheax was a wonderful father, a dedicated son, and an authentic voice. Though his style is far different from mine, the joy that is evident in his music is a gift to those who have heard him live or on recordings. We lost him way too soon, but, thankfully, he has left his music with us. Please take a moment and listen in. It would be greatly appreciated if you would help his family in this time of terrible loss by purchasing and sharing his music with your friends and family. Let it continue to be a blessing to many, and not be lost in the noise that is so abundant in our culture.

http://gfsongs.com
http://gfsongs.blogspot.com/
Technorati Tags: Gerard Faucheaux

The Future of Music!

Emma, my granddaughter, says it all to me. Where is the future of music? In her hands and other little hands like hers. That 's the reason that it is so important to help them to fall in love with music that is meaningful and artful. Go, Emms!

Just thinkin'

We just had our latest Exalt program today, a 3/4 hr of contemporary Christian music, play, video, etc. with all of the students at Rosary School. We have this usually once a month and it is a lot of fun for the kids. I think that it gives them some exposure to Christian thought, the Scriptures, and other things at a level that they can make their own.

I was wondering how many folks out there have similar programs in their church or in their schools?