Singing Language: English

Plainsong (Gregorian singing, Plainchant) is the oldest form of music still in daily use. It evolved during the first millennium until and (according to legend) was systematised by Pope Gregory I at the end of the 6th century. (How he did this when the was no means for writing music down is open to debate).

It was originally unaccompanied (probably) and its heyday was in the 9th and 10th centuries. After that, attention was slowly turned towards writing music in harmony, but the compostion of plainsong continued until the 16th century and its use overflowed from the Catholic church to various Protestant denominations.

The purpose of this study day is to look more deeply into how plainsong is performed in the 21st century (and why), but also look at how other forms developed and were used.

During the day we will:

• Learn a wide selection of plainsong repertoire;
  • We'll start off with something very simple, like THIS.
  • And progress through more difficult pieces, such as THIS (but in English);
  • We will aim to take in one of the greatest works of plainsong repertoire - Day of Wrath and Doom (Dies Irae),
  • And, if all goes well, something very florid like THIS.
• Deepen our knowledge of square notation, such as;
  • What does this     mean?
  • Is it the same as    ?
  • What would you do with    ?
  • How would you cope with a Quilisma?
  • And so on.
• Discover out how plainsong changed over the centuries;
  • The "classic" sound of plainsong, as promoted in the 20th and 21st centuries is known to us all - PLAY,
  • But some scholars and musicologists prefer THIS.
  • And how about THIS? It's written in standard square notation.
• Find out more about plainsong’s development in Britian;
  • From the end of the 11th century, Rome was remote and Norman France was close. A school of plainsong composition, influenced by the practices in Rouen, grew around Salisbury (Sarisburium) from which the Sarum Rite sprang. It's similar but different to "standard" plainsong.
• Find out what different denominations have used plainsong for;
  • What did Luther do with Plainsong?
  • How was it used by Bach?
  • Did John Merbecke in his Booke of Common Praier Noted (1550) faithfully carry forward the plainsong tradition, or hammer a nail into its coffin?
• Dig down into how Hollywood has used plainsong;
  • At least one plainsong melody became so iconic that it was used time and time again in the soundtrack of Hollywood films (and not just in "churchy" settings).
• Uncover the use of plainsong in video games;
  • Up into the 21st century, the mystery associated with plainsong has led to the music being quoted and imitated in video games.
• Take away a booklet of basic instructions and repertoire that can be used in other situations;
  • This will be in A4 format.
  • The texts and notation will be in the public domain, so further copies may be made as required.
• Give an informal demonstration concert to friends and others at 4.00 pm.
  • This will last about and hour. We will present our course study material but also find out more about plainsong and its background.

Participation in this event is open to all singers who are interested in plainsong.

No previous knowledge of square notation is necessary and, if you don't read music at all, this day will teach you all the basic necessities.

This choral project will be led by Philip Norman

This will, of course, consist of plainsong. A repertoire book will be provided.

• 09.30: Registration. Light refeshments available.
• 10.00: Session 1.
• 11.30: Break. Light refreshments available.
• 11.50: Session 2.
• 13.00: Lunch Break.
  • Bring your own sandwiches and food to eat in the designated area in the church. Tea, coffee, soft drinks available.
  • Travel half a mile to The Crown and Sceptre (LINK) for a meal. It would be best to book this in advance.
• 14.00: Session 3.
• 15.30: Break. Light refreshments available.
• 16.00: Informal presentation concert to friends, family members, and others.
• 17.00: End.

£15 per person. This is to cover running costs and the production of music etc. All profits will go to St Teilo's church.

If you want to, you can just roll up on the day. However, it makes it SO much easier for the organisers if we have some idea of how many people are coming in advance.

There are two ways of registering:

1. Click HERE and fill in an online form. This form is hosted by Organists Online, so that's why the page header changes.
• If you register using this method, you will need to pay at the door.
2. Click HERE and both register and pay in advance online.
   • Paying in advance saves you having to have spare cash with you.