Exploring the Rich History of Plainchant in Early Christianity

Get Them Involved!

The Key to Keeping Students Focused

Please select one (but 

only

 one!) numbered assignment  from the table,

and read it carefully.  This will be what you are going to be doing in order

to 

get involved

 in this session!  Options include reading parts of skits or

poems, clapping your hands on beats two and four to help with spoken

word, some simple beat-boxing, leading others in rhythmically spelling

the word, “rhythm,” pantomiming roles in a skit, and maybe even a little

bit of singing.

Please choose from the assignments numbered 1-25 until they are gone,

before selecting from auxiliary lettered assignments A-H.

Student/Teacher Conference

Just Plain Chant

Just Plain Chant

The genre known as 

plainchant

 also goes

By 

plainsong

, but the fragrance of this rose

Is not diminished;

Just Plain Chant

The genre known as 

plainchant

 also goes

By 

plainsong

, but the fragrance of this rose

Is not diminished; matter not its name,

Its beauty, pure and simple, stays the same.

The early Christians based it on their past,

When, worshipping as Jews,

The early Christians based it on their past,

When, worshipping as Jews,

The Psalms were cast

As melodies of praise to God above,

The early Christians based it on their past,

When, worshipping as Jews,

The Psalms were cast

As melodies of praise to God above,

The echoes of His mercy, grace, and love.

Pope Gregory is cited far and near

For ordering the chants within the year;

Pope Gregory is cited far and near

For ordering the chants within the year;

The seasons, such as Christmas and Advent,

Have their chants; so, too, Pentecost and Lent.

Their melodies, alone and unadorned,

Without a beat, on ancient modes are borne.

Their melodies, alone and unadorned,

Without a beat, on ancient modes are borne.

From tyranny of time and meter freed,

In Latin, they proclaim the Christian creed.

(end)

R, H, Y, T, H, and M

“R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them;

It goes, “R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them.

Now some notes are shorter,

and some notes are longer,

And some notes are weaker,

while some notes are stronger.

A rhythm is better with diversity,

‘Cause sometimes I need you,

but sometimes you need me.  

It goes

 . . .

“R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them;

It goes, “R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them.

All the note durations

can be named with fractions,

So know your division,

if you wanna see some action.

There are whole notes,

half notes, too,

And quarter notes,

And eighth notes keep on movin’ through.

Dotting a note will increase it by half;

It isn’t that hard, but you gotta do the math!

You can add notes together—

just connect them with a tie,

It involves a lot of counting,

and that ain’t no lie.

Let me hear you now

 . . .

“R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them;

It goes, “R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them.

Now the beat is steady, just like this;

It keeps on beating.  It don’t miss.

But the tempo is the speed of the beat—

Allegro, largo, moderato.  Ain’t it sweet!

Meter is the last thing that I’ll tell you about;

It’s the way the beats are grouped,

if you had any doubt.

You start over with “one”

when you hear a strong beat

With an accent or a chord change

when you’re tapping your feet.

EVERYBODY

!

“R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them;

It goes, “R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them.

Meters can be duple, like a marching band,

Or triple or quadruple,

even more on demand.

Fives and sevens are real tricky,

‘cause they seem out of whack,

So they’re not used too often.

Hey, just trust me—that’s a fact.



TAKE IT HOME NOW

!

“R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them;

It goes, “R, H, Y, T, H, and M,”

If they want you to spell it,

then you give it to them.

Wrap it up now

!

“R, H, Y, T, H, and M!”

(end)

Oh, it’s opera for me, me mates,

It’s opera for me;

No words are said,

But sung, instead;

It’s opera for me.

(

Response):

 It’s opera for me.

Oh, the Camerata Florentine,

With its philosophizin’,

They thought the Greeks

Did more than speak,

And sought a new horizon.

(

Response

):  And sought a new horizon.

Oh, it’s opera for me, me mates,

It’s opera for me;

No words are said,

But sung, instead;

It’s opera for me.

(

Response):

 It’s opera for me.

Oh, now Monteverdi’s 

Orfeo

,

In sixteen aught and seven,

Began the art

With a glorious start,

And took it up to heaven.

(

Response):

  And took it up to heaven.

Oh, it’s opera for me, me mates,

It’s opera for me;

No words are said,

But sung, instead;

It’s opera for me.

(

Response):

 It’s opera for me.

Oh, the scen’ry is spectacular,

With sets and arches tall;

Too bad it’s done

In Italian,

Which I don’t know at all!

(

Response):

  Which 

he

 don’t know at all!)

But, it’s opera for me, me mates,

It’s opera for me;

No words are said,

But sung, instead;

It’s opera for me.

(

Response):

 It’s opera for me.

Oh, the mythologic fairy tales

Were all the rage in Venice,

But divas had,

By acting badly,

Made the stage a menace.

(

Response):

  They’d made the stage a menace.

Oh, it’s opera for me, me mates,

It’s opera for me;

No words are said,

But sung, instead;

It’s opera for me.

(

Response):

 It’s opera for me.

Oh, the rec’tative is speechy-like,

And good for conversation;

The aria is a beautiful tune,

And gets a grand ovation.

(

Response):

  And gets a grand ovation.

Yes, it’s opera for me, me mates,

It’s opera for me;

No words are said,

But sung, instead;

It’s opera for me.

(

Response):

 It’s opera for me.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh . . .

Castrati played the leading roles,

They sang in op’ra halls;

Castrati played the leading roles,

They sang in op’ra halls;

I don’t know why

They sang so high—

(

Response?

)

Oh, it’s opera for me, me mates,

It’s opera for me;

No words are said,

But sung, instead;

It’s opera for me.

(

Response):

 It’s opera for me.

(

Big ending

):  

It’s opera for me!

(end)

Opera, 

oratorio

—

some find them so confusing;

They have so much in common

that it’s really not amusing.

They both require an orchestra

to help support the voices,

And when they’re done,

There’s lots of fun,

and everyone rejoices!

The opera’s focus? Secular.

that means it’s not religious;

There usually is a murder scene

which is, of course, malicious.

Another common theme

involves a sexual attraction

That’s doomed to failure from the start,

thus heightening the action.

In contrast, oratorios

are sacred in their outlook;

They tell the story of a prophet,

often from the Good Book.

Elijah, Jephtha, Christ, and Paul

are subjects who are favored;

Heroic lives inspired the notes

o’er which composers labored.

The operas, by tradition,

in Italian are written;

That rule prevailed when Handel 

wrote

his operas in Great Britain.

The operas, by tradition,

in Italian are written;

That rule prevailed when Handel 

wrote

his operas in Great Britain.

But oratorios are in

the language of the nation;

To understand the lyrics

is the prime consideration.

The staging, costumes, sets and props,

as well as serious acting,

Are all a part of operas,

whose directors are exacting;

The staging, costumes, sets and props,

as well as serious acting

Are all a part of operas,

whose directors are exacting;

But standing tall in concert black,

and singing from a folder

Are standard oratorio fare.

Perhaps, it’s slightly colder.

The arias in the operas

are often deeply moving.

They stir the soul and draw the tear,

with audiences approving;

The arias in the operas

are often deeply moving.

They stir the soul and draw the tear,

with audiences approving;

You’ll hear a cry of “Bravo!”

or of “Brava!” loudly sounding;

The glory of that moment

is incredibly astounding.

The choruses in oratorios

are just as worthy,

Or worthier, since they don’t dwell

on subjects quite as earthy.

The choruses in oratorios

are just as worthy,

Or worthier, since they don’t dwell

on subjects quite as earthy.

Yes, Handel’s “Hallelujah”

is the greatest of this genre;

Its lofty grandeur and its 

timeless

praise have earned this honor.

So—

opera,

oratorio

—

we hope you’ve got them straight;

If not, you’d better hurry up—

the hour is getting late.

So—

opera,

oratorio

—

we hope you’ve got them straight;

If not, you’d better hurry up—

the hour is getting late.

They both are monumental

in their drama and their scope.

So—

opera,

oratorio

—

we hope you’ve got them straight;

If not, you’d better hurry up—

the hour is getting late.

They both are monumental

in their drama and their scope.

You’ve 

got

 to try an opera--

So—

opera,

oratorio

—

we hope you’ve got them straight;

If not, you’d better hurry up—

the hour is getting late.

They both are monumental

in their drama and their scope.

You’ve got to try an opera—

or a torio, I hope!

(end)

Mozart, boy-genius, was one of a kind;

For music, he had a most wonderful mind.

Mozart, boy-genius, was one of a kind;

For music, he had a most wonderful mind.

His father, named Leopold, gave him his start

By teaching him early the musical art.

Mozart, boy-genius, was one of a kind;

For music, he had a most wonderful mind.

His father, named Leopold, gave him his start

By teaching him early the musical art.

Young Mozart’s big sister, Nannerl, by name,

Preceded her brother in learning the game.

Mozart, boy-genius, was one of a kind;

For music, he had a most wonderful mind.

His father, named Leopold, gave him his start

By teaching him early the musical art.

Young Mozart’s big sister, Nannerl, by name,

Preceded her brother in learning the game.

He listened along to the lessons she took,

And gleaned from the glances he stole from her book.

His turn to take lessons came when he was four;

His sister had talent, but he had much more.

His turn to take lessons came when he was four;

His sister had talent, but he had much more.

The music, in his hands, came quickly alive—

He started composing when he was but five.

His turn to take lessons came when he was four;

His sister had talent, but he had much more.

The music, in his hands, came quickly alive—

He started composing when he was but five.

At six, he was touring Vienna and Prague,

Then Munich and Paris, and on to The Hague.

His turn to take lessons came when he was four;

His sister had talent, but he had much more.

The music, in his hands, came quickly alive—

He started composing when he was but five.

At six, he was touring Vienna and Prague,

Then Munich and Paris, and on to The Hague.

In Zurich and London he also performed;

The hearts of his listeners surely he warmed.

By ten years of age he had seen quite a lot;

His father, quite honestly, really had thought

By ten years of age he had seen quite a lot;

His father, quite honestly, really had thought

That the royals who heard him most likely would give

Him some money to help meet expenses, and live.

By ten years of age he had seen quite a lot;

His father, quite honestly, really had thought

That the royals who heard him most likely would give

Him some money to help meet expenses, and live.

But time after time, only trinkets and toys

Were the things that were offered to them, so the boy’s

By ten years of age he had seen quite a lot;

His father, quite honestly, really had thought

That the royals who heard him most likely would give

Him some money to help meet expenses, and live.

But time after time, only trinkets and toys

Were the things that were offered to them, so the boy’s

Weary father decided to trudge home again,

And there, the boy worked very hard with his pen.

He wrote his first opera when he was fourteen,

And many thought it was the best they had seen!

He wrote his first opera when he was fourteen,

And many thought it was the best they had seen!

It wasn’t much longer ‘til he had obtained

A musical post, and subservience feigned.

He wrote his first opera when he was fourteen,

And many thought it was the best they had seen!

It wasn’t much longer ‘til he had obtained

A musical post, and subservience feigned.

His boss?  Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, no less;

But Mozart, alas, simply did not possess

He wrote his first opera when he was fourteen,

And many thought it was the best they had seen!

It wasn’t much longer ‘til he had obtained

A musical post, and subservience feigned.

His boss?  Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, no less;

But Mozart, alas, simply did not possess

The humility needed to serve such a man,

And soon, he devised an alternative plan.

He moved to Vienna, to live on his own;

Composing his music, he’d make it alone.

He moved to Vienna, to live on his own;

Composing his music, he’d make it alone.

He also gave lessons to those who could pay,

But still, there were times when he lived day-to-day.

He moved to Vienna, to live on his own;

Composing his music, he’d make it alone.

He also gave lessons to those who could pay,

But still, there were times when he lived day-to-day.

Freemasonry gave him a chance to belong

To a group where his friendships increased and grew strong.

He moved to Vienna, to live on his own;

Composing his music, he’d make it alone.

He also gave lessons to those who could pay,

But still, there were times when he lived day-to-day.

Freemasonry gave him a chance to belong

To a group where his friendships increased and grew strong.

He married Constanze, and started to write

More concertos and operas.  What a delight!

The Marriage of Figaro

 took an old tale,

And made it more interesting—not quite so stale.

The Marriage of Figaro

 took an old tale,

And made it more interesting—not quite so stale.

He followed that hit with the tale of 

Don Juan

;

But sung in Italian, 

Giovanni’s

 the 

Don

.

The Marriage of Figaro took an old tale,

And made it more interesting—not quite so stale.

He followed that hit with the tale of 

Don Juan

;

But sung in Italian, 

Giovanni’s

 the 

Don

.

He then wrote the opera, 

Così fan tutte

;

Painting women as fickle, untrue to their duty.

The Marriage of Figaro took an old tale,

And made it more interesting—not quite so stale.

He followed that hit with the tale of 

Don Juan

;

But sung in Italian, 

Giovanni’s

 the Don.

He then wrote the opera, 

Così fan tutte

;

Painting women as fickle, untrue to their duty.

A Singspiel, 

The Magic Flute

, served as the last

Of his operas by which he had risen so fast.

His final endeavor was writing a Mass

For the dead, and it’s full of refinement and class.

His final endeavor was writing a Mass

For the dead, and it’s full of refinement and class.

Commissioned by quite a mysterious guest,

This music may just well be some of his best.

His final endeavor was writing a Mass

For the dead, and it’s full of refinement and class.

Commissioned by quite a mysterious guest,

This music may just well be some of his best.

He died, and his burial site is unknown,

Unmarked by a permanent burial stone;

His final endeavor was writing a Mass

For the dead, and it’s full of refinement and class.

Commissioned by quite a mysterious guest,

This music may just well be some of his best.

He died, and his burial site is unknown,

Unmarked by a permanent burial stone;

But he lives in his music, and lives in his art,

And his wonderful music lives on in my heart.

(end)

His final endeavor was writing a Mass

For the dead, and it’s full of refinement and class.

Commissioned by quite a mysterious guest,

This music may just well be some of his best.

He died, and his burial site is unknown,

Unmarked by a permanent burial stone;

But he lives in his music, and lives in his art,

And his wonderful music lives on in my heart.

All poems and songs are from 

The History of Music Expounded in Verse (or, The Musical

High Points, but Metered, and Terse)

, 3

rd

 ed., by Allen Webber, published by Kendall Hunt.

For ordering information, please visit 

https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/history-music-expounded-

verse-or-musical-high-points-metered-and-terse

.