Music News

Members of The Catholic University of America Chamber Choir sing during an Oct. 10, 2017, rehearsal at the Washington campus' St. Vincent Chapel, a session that included Gregorian chant. Gregorian chant is the singing of the liturgy and its texts are almost entirely scriptural.

'Modest resurgence' seen in the use of chant at Mass

WASHINGTON -- When Catholics return to their churches as coronavirus-induced lockdowns ease up, they're not likely to be confronted with a bunch of unfamiliar words in Latin printed in some medieval-era typeface with notes in the shape of squares rather than ovals.

The band iv24 is creating spiritual communion during the COVID-19 crisis by hosting virtual prayer and worship sessions on Facebook every Friday night. From left are Desiree D’Cunha, Whitney D’Cunha and Rudy D’Souza.

Good news still flows with group’s live-stream

By Quinton Amundson, Catholic Register Special

In the early 1980s, Canadian music icon Anne Murray released her classic country song, “A Little Good News,” in response to suffering she witnessed in society.

Dominican Brothers Stefan Ansinger and Alexandre Frezzato teach weekly lessons in Gregorian chant through their YouTube channel.

Ancient music given YouTube makeover

By Catholic News Service

FRIBOURG, Switzerland -- Dominican Brothers Stefan Ansinger and Alexandre Frezzato are teaching people to sing 800-year-old Gregorian chant through free weekly lessons on their YouTube channel called OPChant.

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra during the choir’s 125th anniversary concert in October at Koerner Hall in the city’s Royal Conservatory of Music. The choir is performing “Messiah” at Roy Thomson Hall Dec. 17-22.

Hallelujah! Handel's Messiah still has special quality for choristers decades later

By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register

When Susan Worthington gets home from “Messiah” rehearsals with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir she’s hungry and tired, but her brain is still full of music.

Whitney D’Cunha on guitar and Shaun Fernandes demand a response from Catholic high school students from across the GTA at the Serra Club’s March 5 Ordinandi Youth Event.

Group evolves from prayer group to music ministry named iv24

By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register

The music produced by the band iv24 for young Catholics at high school retreats, young adult events and evenings of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament is more a by-product than anything else. The seven-member praise and worship band from Mississauga, Ont., didn’t start off trying to achieve close harmonies, infectious beats or uplifting melodies.

Program director Michael Roberts demonstrates the Great Catholic Music app.

It’s all hymns, all the time

By Mark Pattison, Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON -- Catholics hear hymns in church, but hardly ever on the radio. Now they can augment their weekly diet of hymnody through a new audio web streaming service called Great Catholic Music.

Soprano Josie Grossi will be performing at Toronto’s Pauline Books and Media Sept. 30.

Singer finds strength in life of St. Thérèse

By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic Register

Josie Grossi was 20 years old when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in May 1987. Her doctors didn’t give her much hope. They told her there was no known cure. There wasn’t any medication that could slow down the deterioration of her central nervous system and eventually, she would need a wheelchair.