Open Your Hymnal

Latest Episodes:

"We've Come This Far By Faith:" Celebrating Black Sacred Music Feb 22, 2019

Show notes

We’re focusing on the rich heritage of the Black sacred music tradition, and we’re blessed to be joined by two important voices: Leon Roberts (recorded in a presentation from 1985), and Lynne Gray. Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert for an exploration of the treasury of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs. You’ll hear lots of standard and familiar music, and you’ll also hear selections from several contemporary composers.

So, please open your hymnals!

"City of God" Jan 04, 2019

Show notes

We are kicking off a new year with our second conversation with Dan Schutte! In this episode, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with Dan about his song, “City of God.” They talk about its origins as an Advent song, the musical structure of the piece, the importance of the St. Louis Jesuits in forming a generation of guitar players, and more.

So, please open your hymnal to "City of God."

OYH Lessons & Carols, 2018 Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

We are closing out Advent with our fourth release, our first ever “OYH Lessons & Carols.” You’ll hear a range of great music from a variety of composers. You’ll also hear readings woven throughout, read by friends of the podcast: David Haas, Jes Garceau, Audrey Reichert, Carol Browning, and Jesse Manibusan. 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!

"Creator of the Stars of Night" Dec 15, 2018

Show notes

Advent is going fast, but it’s not over yet! Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Carol Browning about “Creator of the Stars of Night.” Bob Moore stops by to talk about Carol’s music, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, gives some historical background to the 1,000-year-old chant hymn at the core of this piece. Plus, you’ll hear a bunch of great music in the OYH Playlist.

So, please open your hymnal to "Creator of the Stars of Night."

Songs of Mary Dec 08, 2018

Show notes

It’s another very special themed episode of OYH! To commemorate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we’re playing some of our favorite Marian songs and hymns. We’ll play a lot of music, in a lot of different styles, including liturgical and devotional music. You’ll hear songs celebrating Mary as servant, as mother, as queen, as intercessor, and Marian songs from around the world. You’ll hear, too, from a few of our friends as they share their favorite Marian songs.

So, please open your hymnals!

OYH Selects: "Night of Silence" Dec 02, 2018

Show notes

Did you know that 2018 is the 200th birthday of the song “Silent Night?” To celebrate both this important anniversary and the start of the Advent season, we are re-releasing our interview with Dan Kantor about his song, “Night of Silence.” You’ll hear the same great interview from 2017, but with added features like the OYH Playlist segment.

Dan Kantor's song, "Night of Silence," has been sung and celebrated in churches and concert halls around the world. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert chat with Dan about writing vivid text, creating harmonic structure, and the importance of celebrating Advent. We also learn new words like "Quod Libet," Matt gets Zack to both play his guitar and sing for our listeners, Rob Strusinski shares his memories of this song’s origins, and we explore the importance of Advent with a reflection written by Rachel Held Evans.

So, please open your hymnal to "Night of Silence."

Celebrating Hymns, Part 1 Nov 17, 2018

Show notes

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.

"My Soul is Thirsting" Oct 22, 2018

Show notes

You likely knew that composer Steve Angrisano is very talented musician and speaker. But, did you also know that he’s a great foot washer? It’s just one of the many things we discussed when we discussed his setting of Psalm 63, “My Soul is Thirsting.” Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Steve about songwriting, contemporary music, family ministry, mentorship, and what the Church gets wrong about young people. We’ll also get a little closer to answering the question that’s been on all of our minds: just how big of a nerd was Zack in high school? It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!

So, please open your hymnal to "My Soul is Thirsting."

"No Greater Love" Sep 30, 2018

Show notes

We’re welcoming Fr. Michael Joncas back to speak about another one of his best-loved compositions: “No Greater Love.” While many know this popular song, not everyone knows that it was composed as part of a full Mass setting. So, there are a lot of layers to today’s episode: orchestral Mass settings, setting Scripture to music, using chant-like melodies, the effect of changes to the Mass translation, and what it means to compose “theatrical” liturgical music. We’ll discuss all of these with Fr. Michael, and explore them further with additional choices in the Open Your Hymnal Playlist.

So, please open your hymnal to "No Greater Love."

OYH Selects: "On Eagle's Wings" Sep 01, 2018

Show notes

Open Your Hymnal is making its debut on Catholic radio tomorrow (September 1st)! To celebrate, we are releasing a re-mastered version of our very first podcast episode, "On Eagle's Wings," with composer Fr. Michael Joncas. The re-release includes the addition of our newest feature, the Open Your Hymnal Playlist, and more. Please enjoy this episode, originally released in May 2017!

[From the original episode posting]: The song "On Eagle's Wings" is everywhere: hymnals, YouTube, funerals and memorial services, and even PBS television specials. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview the song's composer, Fr. Michael Joncas, to learn more about the story of the song, the writing and publication process, and the song's legacy. There is even a surprise revelation about the connection between this beloved piece and Stephen Sondheim, and you don't want to miss it.

So, please open your hymnal to "On Eagle's Wings".

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected