Choirs of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph - Manchester, NH

MANY thanks to my amazing cherubs on "both sides of the river!!" This morning, the combined forces of SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE CHOIR, the CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOSEPH PARISH CHOIR, members of the DIOCESAN FESTIVAL CHOIR, 2 organists (Brother Andrew Thornton and Scott Bergendahl), and the Cathedral Brass and Timpani Ensemble (Jay Daly, Richard Given, and Michael Ambroszewsk)i all came together to celebrate the Abbatial Blessing of Brother Isaac S. Murphy, O.S.B. Abbot Murphy is now, officially, the 6th Abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey. Congratulations, Abbot Murphy! Ad multos annos!

Choral music for the Abbatial Blessing of Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B. at Saint Anselm Abbey on Friday 27 September at 11:00 a.m.

Choirs:
Saint Anselm College Choir (current students & alumni)
Cathedral of Saint Joseph Parish Choir
Diocesan Festival Choir

Instrumentalists:
Cathedral Brass and Timpani Ensemble
Brother Andrew Thornton, O.S.B., Organist
Scott Bergendahl, Organist and Choral Accomapnist
Dr. Eric J. Bermani, Diocesan & Cathedral Director of Music
Director of Liturgical Music, Saint Anselm College

Prelude:
Instrumental:
Stanley Voluntary I for 2 trumpets and organ
Prayer of St. Gregory (Hovhaness)
Choral:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Prayer of St. Anselm (Curtis)
Prayer of St. Benedict (Templeton)
Cantate Domino (Pitoni)
Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me [The King's Majesty]

Processional:
Rigaudon (Campra)
Hymn: God Is Here! As We His People [Abbot's Leigh]
Hymn: Lift High the Cross [Crucifer]
Introit for Blessing of an Abbot (Kelly)

Kyrie: Kyrie Eleison (N. Palmer)
Gloria: Antiphonal Gloria from Congregational Mass (Lee, arr. Biery)
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34 -- Come, children and hear me (antiphon, EJB; verses, J. Gelineau)
Gospel Acclamation: Choral Expansion on Mode VI (Vatican)
Alleluia (Chant, Mode VI)
Versicle: Proper sung by SATB Choir
Litany of the Saints: Chant
Kiss of Peace: Psalm 100 -- God is our shepherd (Hughes)
Offertory: Be Thou My Vision (Slane, arr. Sorrenson)
Sanctus: Holy (Chant, Roman Missal III)
Mystery of Faith: When we eat this bread (Chant, Roman Missal III)
Great Amen: Danish (with Choral Expansion by Byrd)
Lord's Prayer
Agnus Dei: Agnus Dei [Latin Mass XVIII, Mode VII]
Communion:
1. Proper antiphon (Kelly)
2. Psalm 22/23: I Am the Good Shepherd (Hytrek)
3. O Blessed Savior (Brubaker/Westendorf)
Communion Meditation: Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Recessional: God, We Praise You [Nettleton]
Postlude: Hornpipe (Handel)
La Rejouissance (Handel)

Today marks the second week of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish Choir being back in session and, I just have to say, God never disappoints. The Cathedral Choir is still in the "rebuilding stages" after the pandemic but today saw the joyous return of one chorister who was out on health leave, and THREE new choristers who came in after Mass for an audition (an alto, soprano, and a tenor and ALL with great voices). That will be 3 new voices added to the ensemble for next Sunday. Today, we had 5 altos, 3 tenors, 3 basses, and 6 sopranos. They sang choral music from Purcell and Mendelssohn and did a most marvelous job. Next week, with more people back from vacation and, coupled with our new choristers, we'll be cresting over the 20-mark. Sts. Cecilia, Gregory, Augustine, David, Pius X, Ambrose, and Hildegard von bingen: PRAY FOR US!!!!

The Concert Series of the Cathedral of St. Joseph (Manchester, NH) invites you to attend a choral concert "An Evening With the Saints" on Friday 18 October, 7:00 p.m. $10 at the door (a light reception to follow!)

The Cathedral Choir, members of the Diocesan Festival Choir, and Saint Anselm College Choir come together to offer beautiful choral music focused on the saints. This unique evening will offer:

A Prayer of St. Anselm (Curtis) [St. Anselm]
Ave Maria (Chant) [St. Gabriel]
Ave Maria (Arcadelt)
God of Thy Goodness (Stearns) [St. Julian of Norwich]
Magnificat (Hirten) [Blessed Virgin Mary]
O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts (Powell) [St. Bernard of Clairvaux]
O pulcre facies (Hildegard von Bingen) [St. Hildegard von Bingen]
Panis Angelicus (Franck) [St. Thomas Aquinas]
Prayer of St. Benedict (Templeton) [St. Benedict]
Prayer of St. Michael the Archangel (Byzantine Chant) [St. Michael]
Prayer of St. Patrick (Sexton) [St. Patrick]
Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester (Archer) [St. Richard]
Prayer of the Venerable Bede (Benson) [St. Bede]
Vexilla Regis Prodeunt (Chant) [St. Venantius Fortunatus]

And hymns:

For All The Saints [Sine Nomine]
All Creatures of Our God and King [Lasst Uns Erfreuen] (St. Francis of Assisi)
Father, We Praise You [Christe Sanctorum] (St. Gregory the Great)

For more information, contact Dr. Eric Bermani at [email protected]

Manchester, NH: The CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOSEPH PARISH CHOIR resumes singing at the 10:30 a.m. Pontifical Mass this coming Sunday, 15 September! Sacred music includes choral anthems: O Crux Benedicta (Monteverdi) and Miserere Mei (Lotti), as well as propers set by Columba Kelly, and Latin ordinaries. The Cathedral Choir is accepting new singers in all sections: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass. If you live in area, want to sing some beautiful choral music and be part of a dynamic community, contact Cathedral Director of Music, Dr. Eric Bermani at [email protected].

Manchester, NH: Members of the Cathedral and Diocesan Festival Choirs! A busy year is nearly upon us and I am preparing rehearsals schedules. For those ALREADY involved, I've got some dates for you. Event schedules should be ready in the next day or so but here are some major dates so you can plan accordingly. If you are NOT YET involved in the Cathedral of St. Joseph music ministry in either the:

1. Cathedral Parish Choir (sings weekly at 10:30 a.m. Mass)
2. Diocesan Festival Choir (sings at select diocesan events)
3. St. Anthony Men's Schola (newly established men's schola)
4. St. Nicholas Schola Cantorum (Diocesan Children's Choir)

Write me either here or at [email protected]

Important Dates:

1. Sunday 15 September -- Cathedral Choir returns to weekly 10:30 a.m.
2. Friday 27 September -- Abbatial Blessing of Abbot Issac Murphy, O.S.B., 11:00 a.m., Saint Anselm College
3. Friday 18 October -- Choral Concert: "Sing with All the Saints in Glory," 7:00 p.m. Cathedral of St. Joseph
4. Thursday 24 October -- Red Mass, 5:00 p.m. Cathedral of St. Joseph
5. Saturday 2 November -- Fauré "Requiem", 4:00 p.m. Cathedral of St. Joseph
6. Sunday 1 December -- DecemberSong, 3:00 p.m. Saint Anselm College
7. Friday 13 December -- Vivaldi "Gloria" and Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah", 7:30 p.m., Cathedral of St. Joseph

TIS OFFICIAL!

To All Sacred Music and Church Music Colleagues:

If you have a student interested in sacred music, is eager to learn about their vocation as a church musician, and excited to deepen their knowledge and skill set as an organist, cantor, choral conductor, or composer, please have them check out SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE.

A Benedictine college located in Manchester, NH, Saint Anselm College now offers undergraduates a unique opportunity to major, minor, or obtain a certificate in Sacred Music. Students may choose a discipline in either organ, keyboard, voice, conducting, or composition.

Check us out at:

Sacred Music Information about the Sacred Music minor at Saint Anselm College.

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOSEPH PARISH CHOIR (Manchester, NH):
The Cathedral Parish Choir will be RESUMING rehearsals for the 2024/2025 music year in a few weeks with our first Choral Mass scheduled for Sunday, 15 September at 10:30 a.m.

Being in a Cathedral choir is a unique experience in that you are singing -- literally, creating -- beautiful, mysterious, nourishing and soul-stirring music composed for a particular space and specific purpose. For many, it can be a truly transformative experience.

If you live in the greater Manchester area and are interested in learning more about the choral program, please contact Dr. Eric Bermani at [email protected] for a rehearsal/liturgy calendar and to schedule an audition.

We are currently accepting all voice parts: SOPRANO, ALTO, TENOR, AND BASS. The Cathedral Parish Choir is open to those in high school and beyond!

If you're in the Manchester area, mark your calendars! The fall is going to be busy with some fantastic concerts! Hold the dates for:

1. Friday 18 October, 7:00 p.m. "Sing With All the Saints in Glory: An Evening with the Saints," Cathedral of Saint Joseph Parish Choir, Chamber Singers, and Schola. Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Manchester.

2. Saturday 2 November, 4:00 p.m. Mass for Deceased Parishioners / Requiem (Fauré), Cathedral of Saint Joseph Parish Choir, Chamber Singers, Schola. Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Manchester.

3. Sunday 1 December, 3:00 p.m. DecemberSong, Saint Anselm College Choir, Saint Anselm College, Manchester.

4. Friday 13 December, 7:30 p.m. Handel's Messiah (Christmas Portion) & Vivaldi's Gloria, Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Manchester.

More information to follow about each of these events!

16 years goes by very quickly. . . . .
I realize how very blessed I am:
1. I wake up every day happy to be a church musician and to be a teacher. I am truly living my vocation.
2. I am humbled to serve this glorious Cathedral parish and Diocesan community.
3. I am honored to serve with a host of talented musicians all working together to provide to our people the very best we can all for the Glory of God.
4. Over these years, I have been blessed and fortunate to minister alongside with several rectors and Bishops who understand, value, and support sacred music and prioritize it as being an integral pillar helping to uphold the mission of the Cathedral.
5. For the past 10-years have been privileged to teach organ, sacred music, and conduct the college choir at Saint Anslem College. Serving both communities has the unique opportunity to connect BOTH Cathedral and College together via the avenue of sacred music.

Onward and upward, we journey together!

Saints Cecilia, Gregory, David, Agustine, Ambrose, Hildegard von Bingen, Joseph, Anselm, Benedict and Scholastica: PRAY FOR US (Dympna, too!)

Although in French, this is a great news story focused on the grand orgue of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris.

Premières notes à Notre-Dame L'orgue de Notre-Dame résonne à nouveau. Cinq ans après l’incendie, ça y est, il a été restauré, réinstallé. Nous avons pu l'entendre pour la toute première ...

It is natural for many to develop a silo mentality. Knowing no borders, this malaise is found, particularly, within church circles.

However, particularly as people of faith, we must be mindful that amidst what seems to be the constant chatter of chaos and uncertainty there are indeed many beautiful, nourishing, and important things happening all around us. All we need to do is to look.

For example, in the realm of sacred music, there are some truly wonderful and exciting organ projects taking place at Cathedrals around the US. Collectively, these projects should signal to the wider church that the King of Instruments -- the pipe organ -- is not dead nor has it been replaced. On the contrary, the pipe organ has a significant and rightful place of leadership and prominence within Roman Catholic worship. Look at this list of four communities.

1. St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville, IN https://evdiomessage.org/st-benedict-cathedral-nave-organ-installation-complete/

2. St. Joseph Cathedral, Sioux Falls, SD
https://www.stjosephcathedral.net/cathedral-organ-project

3. St. Bernard Church -- soon to be the Cathedral of St. Benard, Madison, WI
https://www.sbmsn.org/st-bernard-church-organ

4. Cathedral of the Sacred heart, Richmond, VA
https://www.richmondcathedral.org/music-pipe-organs/ #:~:text=The%20Cathedral%20will%20soon%20have%20the%20last%20of,the%20entrance%20of%20the%20church%20in%20April%202024

The Church envisions the liturgy to be beautiful, rich, nourishing, and meaningful in all communities, regardless of geographical location. Such liturgies are not confined solely to grandiose edifices nor to urban areas but, rather, in every place of worship. Lex orandi - lex credendi - lex vivendi.

Music: Pipe Organs – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Pipe Organs “They were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.” —Acts 2:1–2     Rushing wind—the Holy Spirit—marked the gathering of the Church at Pentecost. The organ similar...

With many having a slower schedule during the summer months, the opportunity for continuing education may be a point of interest. Our friends and colleagues at Saint Meinrad are offering a summer chant workshop late July into August. Check it out!

Summer Chant Workshop The focus of the week will be on vocal technique and pedagogy.

This morning the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Manchester, NH celebrated Rev. Eric C. Outlette's ordination to the priesthood! Te deum!

Recessional Hymn from the Presbyteral Ordination of Eric Ouellette for the Diocese of Manchester, NH "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" sung by Cathdral of St. Jospeh Parish Choir, Diocesan Festival Choir and Cathdral Chamber Singers, Eric, J. Bermani, DMin - Di...

Ordination to the Priesthood
Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Manchester, NH
Saturday 1 June 2024, 10:00 a.m.

Choral Anthem: Ecce Sarcedos (Elgar)
Introit: Proper for Ordination (Kelly)
Kyrie: Missa Brevis (Gabrieli)
Gloria: Missa DeAngelis (Chant, Mode V)
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23 (Gelineau)
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia (Marier)
Versicle: Proper for Ordination sung by SATB choir
Litany of Supplication: Litany of the Saints (Chant)
Veni Creator Spiritus (Chant, Mode VII)
Dresden Amen
Investiture: Psalm 110 "You are a priest" (Gelineau)
Kiss of Peace: Psalm 100 "God is our shepherd" (Hughes)
Offertory: Ave Maria (Chant, Mode I)
Ave Maria (Arcadelt)
Sanctus: Missa Deus Genitur alme (XVIII)
Mystery of Faith: Latin option "A"
Great Amen: Danish w/ Byrd choral expansion
Agnus Dei: Missa Deus Genitur alme (Mode VIII)
Communion: Proper for Ordination (Kelly)
Godhead Here in Hiding (Adoro Te Devote)
Psalm 34 -- Taste and see (Abbott)
Choral Anthems: Ave Verum (Mozart)
O Sacrum Convivium (Croce)
Recessional: Salve Regina (Chant, Mode V)
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name [Grosser Gott]

Advanced planning is always a good thing! If you're in the Manchester, NH area and would like to join the Diocesan Festival Choir and Cathedral Choir at the Chrism Mass, let me know. The Chrism Mass will be held on Tuesday of Holy Week at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph (Corner of Pine and Lowell Streets)

We'll be joined that evening by Mr. Tristan Smith and the Magdalen College Choir. Choral music will include:

Ecce Sacerdos Magnus (Elgar)
Propers for the Mass of the Holy Chrism
Kyrie eleison from "Missa Brevis" (Gabrieli)
Gloria from Missa DeAngelis (Mode V)
Exsultate justi (Viadana)
Ave Verum (Elgar)
Sicut Cervus (Palestrina)
Ave Regina Caelorum (Mode V)
all ritual/liturgical music will be sung

For more information, contact Diocesan and Cathedral Director of Music, Dr. Eric Bermani at [email protected]

Mark your calendars:
Saint Anselm College Choir Spring Concert
Saturday 24 February | 7:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars!
SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE CHOIR
Spring Concert
Saturday 24 February, 7:30 p.m.

Manchester's DIOCESAN FESTIVAL CHOIR will be meeting this evening at 7:30 p.m. to review music for the RITES OF ELECTION next Sunday (18 February, 2:00 p.m.). This is an open invitation to singers in greater-Manchester area to attend! PM me if interested! We'll be singing choral anthems by Farrant, Wesley, and numerous pieces of ritual music.

Lent is quickly approaching! For musicians and liturgists serving in the Diocese of Manchester, our 2024 Lenten Guidelines and 2024 Guidelines for Holy Week have been published and are on the Office for Divine Worship website!

Worship - Diocese of Manchester Diocese of Manchester

At the moment, I'm living vicariously through tons of wonderful pictures posted by my colleagues in CRCCM as they travel throughout England basking in tremendous glory found in beautiful Cathedrals!

As I'm enjoying their posts, the reflection serves as an important reminder to us as to the enormous importance these buildings hold. As beautiful as the English Cathedral are, we also have many Cathedrals of equal beauty here in the US. If you've not yet done so, embark on a local pilgrimage to visit your local Cathedral and take time to participate in liturgy while there.

Aesthetics of a Cathedral: Why a Beautiful Place of Worship Is Important to Our Faith The aesthetic beauty of cathedrals has long been an integral part of the Catholic faith, enhancing the Christian spirituality of those who worship within their walls. These majestic structures are not only architectural marvels but also living testimonies of the deep connection between beauty, faith...

Here is an excellent little article highlighting and detailing the ecclesiastical importance of Cathedrals in the lives of the faithful.

Why the Catholic Church needs cathedrals Cathedrals express our solidarity with the universal church: with those who worship in the cathedrals of Ireland and Italy, of England and Gennany, of France and the Philippines.

How fun! Great little way to teach correct rhythm!

DIOCESAN ORGANIST TRAINING PROGRAM:

The Diocesan Organist Training program (DOT) taught by Diocesan and Cathedral Director of Music, Dr. Eric Bermani, will begin another session in October. This continuing education program is geared towards pianists and organists looking to improve their technical skill level and develop their overall competency as an organist serving a Roman Catholic parish by deepening their knowledge as a church musician.

Although the primary focus is on the various technical aspects of playing the organ (introduction and developing familiarity with the different types of instruments, registration, hymn and service playing, etc.), the program also looks at all the various components affecting church musicians: conducting from the console, directing choirs, accompanying cantors, chant, preparing music for the Sunday liturgy and solemnities, choosing appropriate repertoire for funerals and weddings, etc. Because of the intricate role of music within the Sacred Liturgy, the program also explores liturgical theology and closely examines the core elements constituting sacred music.

This is a 10-month course meeting twice a month on Saturdays either at the Cathedral of St. Joseph or elsewhere around the Diocese.

Interested applicants should contact Dr. Bermani directly at [email protected] to obtain a registration form.

If you have an open mind, here is something unique to ponder especially if you are:

Looking to engage and participate in something totally different

Looking to learn something new

Looking to help create something beautiful beyond your imagination

Try singing. The very idea can boggle your mind but, more than likely, you've got a talent that you're not even aware of.

Manchester's Cathedral of St. Joseph is looking for new choristers to sing in the Cathedral Choir. You'll learn how to sing, how to read music, learn to sing in several different languages, and create beautiful and soul-stirring music. It could be a life-changing opportunity to engage in something completely new.

For more information, contact Cathedral Director of Music,
Dr. Eric Bermani at [email protected].