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 They say that this is out of date these days, but I want to do it anyway.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?