Through interviews with composers, text writers, and more, “Open Your Hymnal” explores the most consequential liturgical music heard in churches around the world.
OYH Prayer Series: Holy Thursday
Apr 09, 2020
Show notes
These holy days of Triduum are unlike any other days of the year. This year, for many in areas affected by COVID-19, our celebration will be unlike any other year. In order to provide a way for us to still pray together, we are presenting a special podcast series for Triduum. You’ll hear prayers written by John Kyler, a reflection given by Fr. Michael Joncas, and music selections from several composers.
So, please pray with us!
OYH Prayer Series: Stations of the Cross
Mar 24, 2020
Show notes
(photo credit: Saint John’s Abbey)
At this time of year, communities gather together to pray the Stations of the Cross. However, due to the spread of COVID-19, this is not possible for many parishes around the world. In order to provide a way for us to still walk the way of the Cross together, we are presenting a special podcast version of Stations of the Cross with original reflections and prayers as well as a newly composed music setting by Zack Stachowski. You’ll also hear several selections from several composers you know..
OYH Prayer Series: Stations of the Cross
Zack Stachowski & Matt Reichert
All content of this podcast is property of Look Up Here Productions or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.
2020 Hymn Tune Madness Tournament
Mar 20, 2020
Show notes
It’s back! Our favorite podcasting event of the year returns with the 2020 “Hymn Tune Madness” Tournament. This year our bracket is populated with hymn tunes voted on by you, our faithful listeners. There are some returners from our first tournament last year, with favorites like NETTLETON, HYFRYDOL, SLANE, and PASSION CHORALE. There are also several upstarts who are making their first appearance in the tournament, like OLD HUNDREDTH, LAND OF REST, and AR HYD Y NOS.
You can download and fill-in your own bracket here. Share it with us on social media and join the conversation on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. The voting will begin on Monday, March 23 with one match-up being decided each day. Voting will take place on our social media pages, so follow us for more information and updates.
Today’s episode is an exploration of the first round match-ups, talking through each pairing in our two divisions, “New Britain” and “Darwall.” You’ll hear excerpts of each tune, and a special tribute to the 2019 Grand Champion, THAXTED.
So, please open your tournament brackets!
OYH Prayer Series: Evening Prayer
Mar 13, 2020
Show notes
Take twenty minutes out of your day to pause, reflect, and pray. Following a basic evening prayer structure, this prayer experience includes Psalmody, Psalm prayers, readings from Scripture, time for reflection, intercessions, and a blessing.
Celebrating the Music of the Dameans
Feb 13, 2020
Show notes
The Dameans and OYH! Darryl Ducote, Matt Reichert, Buddy Caesar, Gary Daigle, Mike Balhoff, Gary Ault, and Zack Stachowski (NPM 2019, Raleigh)
The Dameans occupy a special place in the development of contemporary Catholic music following the Second Vatican Council. They made significant contributions to the growing repertoire of liturgical music, they helped shape the ways communities experienced the liturgy, and they influenced the way composers approached writing and recording music for prayer. Co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert were fortunate to spend time with the members of the Dameans at the 2019 National Association of Pastoral Musicians convention in Raleigh, North Carolina. In this conversation, Gary Ault, Gary Daigle, Darryl Ducote, and Mike Balhoff discuss the origins of the group, their writing and recording process, some of their favorite compositions, and more.
So, please open your hymnals to the music of the Dameans!
Episode links
For more information about the Dameans and their compositions, visit GIA Publications.
You can join the fun and play along with the 2020 OYH Hymn Tune Madness competition. Also, join us for our second “OYH Live!” event featuring a conversation with Dan Schutte. For more details, visit our “Events” page.
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Episode 42: Celebrating the Music of the Dameans (The Dameans)
Zack Stachowski & Matt Reichert
All content of this podcast is property of Look Up Here Productions or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.
OYH Lessons & Carols, 2019
Dec 23, 2019
Show notes
We are closing out Advent with our second annual “OYH Lessons & Carols.” You’ll hear a range of great music from a variety of composers. You’ll also hear non-scriptural readings woven throughout, read by friends of the podcast: Meredith Augustin, Rory Cooney, Bex Gaunt, David Haas, Carol Browning, Jaime Cortez, Kate Williams, and Audrey and Clare Reichert. Whether you listen while driving in the car, baking Christmas cookies, preparing for liturgy, or anyplace else, we hope that this celebration will serve as a moment of pause and reflection during this busy time of year.
So, please open your hymnals!
"When You Come"
Dec 18, 2019
Show notes
OYH is shaking things up and turning our microphone around! Today, our co-host Zack Stachowski serves as our interview guest, speaking about his Advent piece, “When You Come.” Since the co-host is becoming the guest, it only makes sense to have one of our past guests serve as co-host. We’re glad to be joined by Tony Alonso, who serves as co-host and helped interview Zack. As a special surprise, you’ll also hear from a host of other guests from past episodes, all sharing their insights into Zack’s piece.
So, please open your hymnals to “When You Come.”
OYH Selects: Celebrating Hymns, Part 1
Nov 22, 2019
Show notes
This is a special rebroadcast of our episode from November, 2018.
It’s the first OYH Hymn Fest! In honor of the Feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of music, we’re celebrating some of our favorite hymn texts and hymn tunes. We’ll play a lot of music, including hymns from the English, German, Irish, and American traditions and some recently composed texts and tunes. We’ll also chat with special guests Dr. Michael McMahon (executive director of The Hymn Society), Brian Hehn (director of the Center for Congregational Song), and Dr. Tony Alonso. You’ll hear, too, from a few of our friends as they share their favorite hymns.
As we mention in the episode, this is the first of several special episodes we’ll release this season. We’ll be preparing and releasing special episodes for “Songs of Mary,” “Songs of Christmas,” “Songs of Lent,” “Songs of Easter,” as well as episodes focusing on women composers and African American composers. Be sure to follow us on social media so you can share your requests with us. Who knows? You might end up on one of our episodes!
So, please open your hymnals!
Celebrating the St. Louis Jesuits
Oct 05, 2019
Show notes
On September 29, 2019, the five member of the St. Louis Jesuits presented their final concert together, and OYH was there! Today, co-hosts Zack and Matt are joined by several guests to look back on the contributions of this pioneering group of composers. You’ll hear from listeners, pastoral musicians, and liturgical composers including Tom Booth, Lorraine Hess, Carol Browning, Bob Moore, Rory Cooney, Craig Colson, and Jaime Cortez. Most importantly, you’ll hear lots of our favorite songs from the past fifty years.
So, please open your hymnals to the music of the St. Louis Jesuits!
OYH Live! An Evening with Marty Haugen
Aug 10, 2019
Show notes
It’s our first ever live episode! Recorded with a live audience at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Canton, Ohio, this interview is from the second night of a three-night parish mission given just before Lent in March, 2019. Join Zack and Matt for a conversation with composer Marty Haugen about several of his best-known songs. They’ll explore song writing, approaches to setting Scripture, instrumentation and musical styles, and more. You don’t want to miss it!
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