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We’re back! Sing Amen took a little hiatus after Christmas, but here at last is our first podcast of the new year. As most people know by now, World Library Publications has officially joined GIA as a new division of the company, and the past couple of months have been full of transitions and moves and new and old friends working together—it’s a very exciting time, and we are all eager to see what the future brings! Today’s podcast is an interview with Los Angeles composer Carol Browning, who was kind enough to sit down for about half an hour with me when she was in Chicago to record her new collection, Unknown Blessings, which is newly released and will be featured at next week’s Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. It was a delightful conversation, about her background and her process as a composer, and about the new collection—we will hear a few selections from it as well. So enjoy! Music heard on today’s podcast: We Remember—G-7332As Recorded on Come and Receive, CD-757 Indwelling Christ—G-9769As Recorded on Unknown Blessings, CD-1069 Let Us Give Thanks for Unknown Blessings—G-10057As Recorded on Unknown Blessings, CD-1069 You Call Us Lord—G-5890As Recorded on Unknown Blessings, CD-1069 Lord Jesus Christ—G-5905As Recorded on Come and Receive, CD-757 Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim BogdanichSing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.) The post Unknown Blessings: A Conversation with Carol Browning (Sing Amen! the Podcast, episode 26) appeared first on Sing Amen.

A Merry Christmas to everyone! If I did this right, this podcast dropped at right about midnight on Christmas Eve, and we hope you enjoy this gift of an hour or so of lovely Christmas choral music to let sing and play through your holy day! A word of welcome to our new subscribers—and if you are not a subscriber yet, please be aware that you can subscribe to us via Apple Podcasts, Google play or Stitcher, and listen through your regular podcast app. Depending on how you got here, the links to subscribe might be right at the top of this page, or else you can click the “podcast” link at the top of the page and that will take you there. (Of course, you can always listen here on the website as well.) We hope you enjoy this music–me being me, it is unabashedly choral, because that’s what I love. If it helps keep you awake during a drive to a relative’s house for Christmas dinner once all your liturgies are done, that would be wonderful; if it helps put you to sleep after dinner and slip into a nice peaceful post-liturgical nap, that’s wonderful too. Wishing you all good things–Merry Christmas to all, and God bless us, every one! –Jennifer Music heard on this episode:People Look East (G-6570)For brass, organ and timpaniArranged by: Sondra K. Tucker  Comfort, Comfort Ye My People (G-2893)by Louis Bourgeois , Claude GoudimelEdited By: Anne Heider Angels We Have Heard on High (G-7603)Arranged by: Eric M. Pazdziora  Bring a Torch, Jeanette, IsabellaArranged by Richard ProulxAs Recorded on Catholic Christmas Classics, CD-590 Como Estrella en Claro Cielo / As a Star on Cloudless Evenings (G-6405)by Skinner Chavez-Melo , Arranged by: Richard Proulx    En Natus Est Emmanuel (Praetorius) (G-5075)From Psallite: Four Classic Motets for Christmas and General Useby William Byrd , Johann Walter , Michael Praetorius  Come Gladly, Come Gaily, Come Gather Together! (G-6077)by Bob MooreText by Sylvia DunstanAs Recorded on Like a Whisper in the Heart, CD-558 A La Nanita Nana (SSA chorus) (W5000) Arranged by: Norman Luboff Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (G-9281)Concertato on MENDELSSOHNArranged by: Robert J. Powell  Go Tell It on the Mountain (G-8106)Arranged by: Evelyn Simpson-Curenton Folly and Love (G-5490)Text and Music: John L. Bell As recorded on God Comes Tomorrow (CD-494) Voces Angelorum (G-5496)Text and Music: John L. Bell As recorded on God Comes Tomorrow (CD-494) Good Christian Friends, Rejoice  (G-8341)Arranged by: David Sims A La Ru (G-6466)Arranged by: John Donald Robb , Richard ProulxAs Recorded on Catholic Christmas Classics, CD-590 A la Rorro Niño (G-3813)Arranged by Donna Peña and Marty Haugen  No Wind at the Window (G-7480)Text by John BellArranged by: Jennifer Kerr Budziak The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (WW1660)Arranged by: Susan LaBarr Still, Still, Still (W3003) Arranged by: Norman Luboff  Gaudete! (WLG149)Arranged by: Michael Engelhardt The First NowellArranged by Richard ProulxAs Recorded on Catholic Christmas Classics, CD-590 Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim BogdanichSing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.) The post Gloria in Excelsis!–A Christmas Playlist (Sing Amen! the Podcast, episode 25) appeared first on Sing Amen.

This episode is simply a lovely sampler of music, in various styles, to help us all move deeper into a spirit of gratitude and grace–peace to you all, and from all of us at GIA Publications, prayers and blessings for a beautiful Thanksgiving week! (Eat well, and get some rest. Advent is almost here. ) –Jennifer Music heard on today’s podcast: Now Thank We All Our God (for organ and brass) (G-4765)by Johann Sebastian Bach , arr. HyslopAs recorded on Gaudeamus, CD-503  Halleluya! We Sing your Praises!South African SpiritualAs recorded on 49 Hidden Treasures from the African American Heritage Hymnal, CD-636 For the Beauty of the Earth (G-6603)by Bernard Sexton  For the Beauty of the Earth (G-9323)Text and arr.: Jeanne Cotter  O God beyond All Praising (G-3190)Concertato on THAXTED by  Gustav Holst, arr. Proulxas recorded on Rare Beasts and Unique Adventures Volume 2, CD-468 Now Thank We All Our God (G-7476)by Johann Pachelbel , ed. Lovelace In Christ We Come to Offer Thanks (G-9719)by J. Michael Joncas, Text by Delores Dufner OSBAs recorded on Deep and Lasting Peace, CD-1047  Thank You, Jesus (G-6678)Arranged by: J. Weldon Norris  Bless the Lord!Psalm 103; music by Andraé CrouchAs recorded on 42 Treasured Favorites from the African American Heritage Hymnal, CD-742  Let Us Give Thanks for Unknown Blessings (G-10057)by Carol Browning As recorded on Unknown Blessings CD-1069 Come, You Thankful People, Come (G-9460)by George J. Elvey , arr. AlonsoAs recorded on Revival, CD-1012 Let All things Now Living (piano solo) (in G-9491)Arr. Paul TateAs recorded on Seasons of Grace, Vol. 7, CD-1028 Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim BogdanichSing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.) The post A Song of Thanksgiving! (Sing Amen! The Podcast, episode 24) appeared first on Sing Amen.

Today we have a conversation with choral conductor Michael Kemp, who has written several books including The Choral Challenge, Innovative Warm-ups for the Volunteer Choir, Rejuvenating Senior Voices (this book helps choir directors help our singers to deal with the vocal issues that begin to affect them as they age,) and his most recent book, Igniting Choral Rehearsals with Efficiency, Artistry, and Motivation. I had the privilege of helping to edit this last book, and it’s a really excellent and practical handbook for choral conductors looking for ways to approach your choir rehearsals that will not only be more efficient and accomplish more, but also be more fun and stimulating for everyone involved. The book suggests specific areas of focus that we can be looking at simultaneously, in layers, as we work on a piece, rather than saying, “Okay, let’s learn the notes, and then we can work on musicality, or dynamics, or vowel formation, or whatever other elements of the piece need work. And after laying out what some of those layers are, he offers 17 octavos, analyzed and score-marked the way he would to go into a rehearsal, taking the concept out of the theoretical and into something concrete and incredibly practical.  I recorded this interview with Michael over a year ago at the last NPM convention he spoke at (pardon the street noises and sirens!), and I’m delighted to finally be able to get this one out into the world. Music Heard in Today’s Podcast: O Lord, Increase My Faith, G-2900 (Orlando Gibbons) Were you There, G-8911 (arr. Marques L. A. Garrett) Panis Angelicus, G-8655 (Zack Stachowski) Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim Bogdanich Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.) The post Igniting Choral Rehearsals–a conversation with Michael Kemp. (Sing Amen! the podcast, episode 23) appeared first on Sing Amen.

World Library Podcast Episode 14 – Stories and Songs with John Angotti Today we walk through the extensive catalog of John Angotti. From his first distributed Album On This Journey to his vinyl compilation Thanks and Praise, you will hear stories about your favorite songs that have not been heard before. John talks about his […] The post World Library Podcast Episode 14 – Stories and Songs with John Angotti appeared first on Sing Amen.

World Library Podcast Episode 13 – Songs and Stories with Bob Rowe: A New Beginning (1985) Today we get a rare glimpse into the history of WLP with Songs and Stories with Bob Rowe. Bob was a WLP artist in the early ’80s and talks about his only album, A New Beginning. Listeners will get […] The post World Library Podcast Episode 13 – Songs and Stories with Bob Rowe: A New Beginning (1985) appeared first on Sing Amen.

Today we have a special podcast episode to celebrate the month of the Most Holy Rosary, which is October. Father Liam Lawton has produced a new recording entitled “The Rosary: The Mysteries of Life,” (CD-1075) which will be released by GIA in the very near future. This project, recorded by Fr. Liam and the Poor Clare Sisters of Carlow, Ireland, contains a meditative reading of all four of the Mysteries of the Rosary—the Joyful Mysteries, recalling the birth and early life of Jesus; the Sorrowful Mysteries, focusing on the Passion and death of Jesus; the Glorious Mysteries, which focus on the Resurrection and the birth of the Church, as well as Jesus’ relationship with his mother; and the Luminous Mysteries, which highlight some of the great episodes in Jesus’ public life and ministry.              In a world full of complication and busy-ness, I have a feeling this project of Fr. Liam’s could be a great gift to many people of faith. It is beautiful but very very simple: it is, quite simply, a praying of the Rosary. For each decade of the Rosary, Fr. Liam offers a reflection on the particular mystery being prayed, and listeners are invited to join in the series of prayers (the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory Be) with the Poor Clare Sisters, through the five decades of the rosary prayer. (This is also, by the way, is a lovely opportunity for connection with with these women, members of a cloistered order who live their lives within their enclosed community and open their hearts in prayer to all who visit or write them—As we pray for and with them, and each other, we invite one another to sink down into this meditative centuries-old prayer form.)             All four sets of mysteries will be included on the complete 2-CD resource; this podcast will include a praying of the Glorious Mysteries, taken from the recording.             So we invite you to take half an hour or so out of the busyness of your day to join in prayer—peace be with you! The prayers and music for today’s podcast are taken from: The Rosary: The Mysteries of Life, CD-1075 Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim Bogdanich Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.) The post “The Rosary: The Mysteries of Life,” with Fr. Liam Lawton (Sing Amen! the podcast, episode 22) appeared first on Sing Amen.

This past summer, GIA welcomed our new Editor for Spanish and Bilingual Resources, Mr. Peter Kolar. Today’s podcast is a conversation with him about his life and work and his reflections on his experiences of music ministry within bilingual and multicultural communities. He was one of the directors for the GIA Showcase at NPM last summer, and he’s been active in NPM conferences for years, giving workshops on bilingual and Spanish music. He is a composer in his own right, and he has his own blog here on the Sing Amen site, called ¡Cantemos Amén!, so please look for his voice to keep adding to the conversation here at singamen.giamusic.com. Shortly after he started at GIA, Peter and I sat down and recorded this podcast interview, which we’re sharing with you today. Obviously this conversation happened well before the tragic terrorist attacks in El Paso last month, which Peter wrote about in his last blog post, so if you have not read it, please do; it’s a beautiful reflection on the strength and love of a rich and faith-filled community, and it can be found here. I’ve known Peter Kolar for more than 20 years, and he’s one of my favorite people, so just sitting down with him to talk about life and ministry and everything was a treat for me, and getting to hear snippets of recordings from his days directing a youth marimba ensemble in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood is a special bonus! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Music Heard on today’s Podcast: —”Chiapas” (Mexican traditional) and “Invention in A minor” (J. S. Bach), performed by the Marimba Ensemble of Holy Cross-Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Chicago, IL. —”Improvisation on ENGELBERG,” ©2019 Peter M. Kolar Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim Bogdanich Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.) The post ¡Cantemos Amén!–A Conversation with Peter Kolar (Sing Amen! The Podcast, episode 21) appeared first on Sing Amen.

One of the great gifts to the singing Church in more recent years has been the wonderful outpouring of new hymn texts by our modern poet-theologians–people like Delores Dufner, Mary Louise Bringle, Herman Steumpfle, Sylvia Dunstan…and over the past decade or so, Adam Tice. Adam’s texts are rich and challenging, addressing many of the challenges and darknesses facing our world today. His words are unflinching and yet full of hope, and it’s no wonder so many composers who encounter his texts are moved to set them to music. This podcast, rather than being composer-based or genre-based like many others have been, will instead focus on the text-writer; here are ten songs set by a varied body of composers, all set to Adam’s texts. There are rather straightforward assembly-based hymns here, as well as choral pieces. Some of these selections are more “traditional” in style, while others lend themselves more to a contemporary ensemble’s sound–but all are lovely, and all give one much to think and pray about. (He’s also an incredibly nice guy.) If you enjoy this, I highly recommend checking out his full collections of hymn texts: Woven Into Harmony, Stars Like Grace, A Greener Place to Grow, Claim the Mystery, and his latest, Pulse and Breath. Peace to all! Music Heard on this Podcast: God of Music, Guide Our Song, G-8092  by Daniel Kantor  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice Beyond, G-8091 by Daniel Kantor  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice God, Give Me Faith like a Child, G-8591 By Sally Ann Morris Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice As recorded on Walk in Peace, CD-908 In the Morning, in the Evening, G-9873 by Bex Gaunt  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice As recorded on Womb and Tomb,CD-1061, and Show By Your Life, CD-1054 Away in a Manger, G-7765 by Blake R. Henson  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice One Thing I Ask of You, O God, G-9835 by Gary Daigle  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice As recorded on Way, Truth, and Life, CD-9866 For God So Loves the World, G-9201  by Marty Haugen  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice As recorded on Pilgrims and Companions, CD-1020 From the Waters I Will Rise, G-9859 by Marty Haugen  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice As recorded on Choose to Hope, CD-1060 Glorify the Lord by Our Lives, G-8907  by Tony Alonso  Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice As recorded on A House of Prayer, CD-968 Special Bonus Track: Peace to You, My Loved Ones From Pulse and Breath, G-9872 By Sally Ann Morris Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice (recorded live at Laurelville Music and Worship Leader’s retreat, an annual Mennonite event that takes place in western Pennsylvania. Click here for the video!) Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim Bogdanich Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.) The post Guide Our Song: An Adam Tice Sampler (Sing Amen! The Podcast, episode 20) appeared first on Sing Amen.

When I look back over the past few decades, it feels as though I have spent a huge portion of my life as a professional musician dealing with tension, pain, stiff shoulders, tendinitis, and all kinds of bodily aches. Most of my colleagues would say the same, I expect. It never occurred to me to wonder if they were optional; I thought that was just part of being a musician.             I had heard of Body Mapping, but I never seemed to find the opportunity to dig in and learn about it, or find out if it could help me. (I was too busy working, and practicing, and taking Advil for my aching joints and tension headaches.) Until last summer, when Bridget Jankowski, author of Body Mapping for Music Ministers, sat down with me one day during the 2018 NPM Convention in Baltimore, and taught me more about this remarkable practice.             This podcast episode is essentially a distillation of that conversation. Bridget’s work, and her book, talks not only about Body Mapping as a vehicle to increased clarity and efficiency (and decreased pain!) for the musician’s body as we make music, but also about how this practice can help deepen our awareness and focus as we perform our work as ministers. Our conversation quite literally changed almost everything for me about the way I conduct, the way I sing, the way I teach, and the way I work with my own choruses; it is truly amazing—and I’ll leave it there and let you listen, since Bridget explains it all far better than I can!             (And if this intrigues you even a little—Bridget herself will be speaking at the Raleigh NPM convention in a little over a week, giving one of the Mega-Breakouts. Please come see her in person and learn from a truly remarkable teacher!) Music heard in today’s podcast: One Is, G-3968 As recorded on Vision, CD-295   Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr BudziakSound by Jim Bogdanich Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)    The post Body Mapping: with Bridget Jankowski (Sing Amen! The Podcast, episode 19) appeared first on Sing Amen.

Okay, it’s been a while since our last podcast! It’s good to be back. Part of the learning curve for me with this site has been realizing when the crunch times come, so I can be ready for them…I’m just coming out of one of those crunch times, because in Publisher World, there is a […] The post Show By Your Life: A Conversation with Lori True (Sing Amen! The Podcast: Episode 18) appeared first on Sing Amen.

World Library Podcast Episode 12 – Craig Colson: Higher Praise Today I speak with composer Craig Colson as we walk through his latest album Higher Praise. Craig also talks about his upcoming workshops and concert at the National Pastoral Musicians Conference in Raleigh, NC July 15-19, 2019.  If you’re not registered, visit npm.org today! Higher […] The post World Library Podcast Episode 12 – Craig Colson: Higher Praise appeared first on Sing Amen.

World Library Podcast Episode 11 – Mickey McGrath and Carolyn Pirtle Today I Speak with Author and Artist Mickey McGrath and talk about his new book, A Holy Mosaic: Love, Diversity, and the Family. Inspiration from Pope Francis.  I also speak with Author and Composer Carolyn Pirtle and talk about her new book Praying the Rosary […] The post World Library Podcast Episode 11 – Mickey McGrath and Carolyn Pirtle appeared first on Sing Amen.

Holy Week is upon us. I figured that at this precise moment in our musical lives no one listening here is looking particularly for new repertoire or deep thoughts or formational development—we are looking to get through the week with beauty and prayerfulness, we are creating folders and scripts and parts for the trumpet players […] The post Night Prayer (Sing Amen! the Podcast: Episode 17) appeared first on Sing Amen.

World Library Podcast Episode 10 – Mikey Needleman Today I present an interview with Mikey Needleman, A VAO artist. We walk through his musical career and ministry and discuss his albums.  Visit his artist page here at VAO to sample any of his albums! Available on iTunes and everywhere podcasts are found.   The post World Library Podcast Episode 10 – Mikey Needleman appeared first on Sing Amen.

Today we have a conversation with Kate Williams, who compiled and edited the beautiful new resource Of Womb and Tomb: Prayer in time of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Stillbirth (G-9816).  The resource is made up of a book, a CD, and a music collection, and I’m pretty sure it’s the first collection of its kind—since it […] The post Of Womb and Tomb: a conversation with Kate Williams (Sing Amen! the Podcast: episode 16) appeared first on Sing Amen.

February is Black History Month, so it seemed appropriate to devote a podcast to some of the wonderful and Spirit-filled offerings from our African-American brothers and sisters in faith, and the amazing heritage of spirituals and Gospel music they continue to keep alive and growing. So here is I hope a pretty diverse lineup of […] The post Glory, Hallelujah! A Black History Month Choral Sampler (Sing Amen! The Podcast: episode 15) appeared first on Sing Amen.

Welcome back, and happy new year! We took a little break in January to get caught up and moving again, but we are back and have a great lineup of podcasts set for 2019, so if you are not subscribed yet, please do subscribe to us at Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Stitcher, to make […] The post Muchos Miembros Hay–Ministry in a Multicultural Parish (Sing Amen! The Podcast: Episode 14) appeared first on Sing Amen.

Merry Christmas! If you have found your way here in some part of the calm after the Christmas storm, welcome. I hope your celebrations of the Nativity were full of beauty and prayer and lovely music–and that you got a nice long nap after. 🙂 This playlist is a companion to the first Christmas playlist […] The post Christmas with the Cathedral Singers (Sing Amen! The Podcast: Special Christmas episode) appeared first on Sing Amen.

So! It’s almost Christmas, the calendar year is drawing to a close, and musicians everywhere are deep into the work of the season! First, as this year ends, a huge thanks to those who have followed this blog and podcast through our first six months. Despite a bit of a lull as the holiday season […] The post A Christmas Playlist (Sing Amen! The Podcast, episode 12) appeared first on Sing Amen.