E09 • Practice: The Basics

Two young men in formation join “Beyond the Spire”. Charles and Joshua introduce to the practical side of chant: books, notes and breathing. The guests explain the role of the Liber Usualis, online chant libraries, the difference between modern notation and neumes, and the importance of legato singing, modest breaths and listening to each other so that one unbroken line of prayer emerges.

Content

• Beginners are pointed to concrete tools: classic books such as the Liber Usualis (aka n°800, 801 or 780) and online libraries like ⁠GregoBase⁠, which effectively place a full chant repertoire within reach.
• The episode introduces the basic building blocks of notation: the square punctum, simple neumes (from Greek πνεῦμα, “breath”), and how chant notation differs from modern scores.
• Chant is presented first as prayer and profession of faith: the Latin text comes before the melody, and understanding what one sings matters more than vocal display.
• Unity is essential: Gregorian chant is monophonic, so many voices must blend into one humble line, with no space for soloistic performance.
• Practically, the guests stress legato and discreet breathing: modest, staggered breaths within the group, constant listening, and an unbroken musical line that embodies a single act of worship.

Guests

• Charles Thompson
• Joshua Mambwe Haines

Sponsors

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠National Lottery Heritage Fund⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Global Sound Movement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠University of Lancashire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

External Links

Available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠all podcasts platforms⁠⁠⁠⁠
Watch on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Beyond_the_Spire⁠⁠⁠⁠

—

More about St Walburge’s Shrine

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠icksp.org.uk/preston⁠⁠⁠⁠
YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ICKSPPrestonSt.Walburge⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠st_walburge_s_preston⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠icksp.preston⁠⁠⁠
TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠stwalburge.icksp