For more than 85 years, SMM has been using Gregorian Chant (plainsong) in our worship. The Ritual Choir, led by Cantor Robert Castle, sings during Solemn Masses and Solemn Evensong & Benediction. The form of the chant is ancient - using square note music that precedes the modern musical notation used today - but the words (chanted mostly in English translations of the original Latin) sound as beautiful as ever. The acoustic environment at SMM is famous for its clear resonance - a property that makes the building well suited for this type of music.
Ritual Choir Sample Clips
These were recorded during a Ritual Choir recital on Candlemas, 29 January 2006.
- Introit from Candlemas "Suscepimus" (3.0MB MP3, 3:11)
- Gradual from Candlemas "Suscepimus" (2.1MB MP3, 2:13)
- Sequence Hymn from Candlemas "Laetabundus" (3.2MB MP3, 3:22)
- Plainsong Hymn "Alma Redemptoris" (1.5MB MP3, 1:39)
Ritual Choir on Tour - 2008
The Ritual Choir went on a whirl-wind 48 hours in St. Joseph, Missouri, where they had been invited by Christ Episcopal Church to commemorate the retirement of their Rector, Fr Sidney Breese. While in St. Joseph, the Ritual Choir presented 3 Gregorian Chant presentations.
To watch video of the Choir performing on a local TV programme, click here...
The History of Chant at SMM (by Dr Willis Noble)
"Since Healey Willan's appointment as Precentor in 1921, there have been two choirs at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene - a Gallery Choir singing acappella or unaccompanied music exclusively, from the gallery at the rear of the church and a vested Ritual Choir in the chancel to perform Gregorian chant. For this choir Willan adapted the Latin propers of the Mass to the English Rite, for all the Sundays and major feasts of the year. In a similar manner he provided a complete set of Antiphons to the Magnificat, as well as other Plainchant for the liturgical year.
"Based on the firm principle that words always take precedence over the music, a unique "Willan" style developed in the particular way Willan adapted the plainsong for use in English. In 1950, at the age of 70, Healey Willan founded the Gregorian Association of Canada and was its musical director until 1965, three years before his death. During those years, the Association was instrumental in Willan's attempt to popularize plainsong beyond the walls of SMM, where, under his direction it had been in constant use since 1921.
"Healey Willan was at the same time responsible for the first Canadian Plainsong Edition of the psalms according the Canadian Book of Common Prayer, published in 1963. His Preface acknowledges a debt to Briggs and Frere — whose Manual of Plainsong had been in use at SMM. Extensive changes in plainsong were made by Willan when the Book of Common Prayer of 1959 was released.
"We have much to celebrate in knowing that Gregorian Chant in Canada has its roots in SMM!"
Try it Yourself at our Chant Club
St Mary Magdalene's would like to be a centre of excellence for liturgical chant. As part of that intention, a "Chant Club" was formed to facilitate learning and create an opportunity for people from within and without the parish new to chant to practise it with other beginners.