Music
Listen to Wesley Warren's organ recital
Unfortunately, due the the quickly moving travel advisories around the COVID-19 pandemic, organist and choir director Wesley Warren will not be able to make his planned trip to the U.K. this week to perform a recital at Westminster Abbey. But he did perform the same program for a small, but appreciative, audience at his home Church on Sunday, March 15. You may listen to the program above.
Hear two new works for the choir
The choir performed specially-commissioned settings of ‘O salutaris hostia’ and ‘Tantum ergo’ by Ottawa composer Gilles Leclerc at the Evensong service on November 16. These settings were written to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of St. Barnabas Parish.
John Wesley’s Directives for Congregational Singing
John Wesley (1703–1791), one of the founders of the Methodist movement in the Church of England, issued these directives concerning congregational singing in 1761:
Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.
Rave reviews for Exsultate Deo!
Exsultate Deo!
Rave reviews for the new CD recorded by the Choir of St. Barnabas and Organist and Choirmaster Wesley R. Warren
The late-2012 release of the first full-length compact disc recorded by the musicians of St. Barnabas, Ottawa has inspired many – whether musicians themselves or appreciative listeners – to share their comments.
Evensong
Even the word ‘Evensong’ is evocative. In the words of the Prayer at Eventide, in the Book of Common Prayer, ‘[T]he shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed...’ At St. Barnabas, we uphold the beautiful tradition of Anglican Evensong, with the devotional Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, on the third Sunday of most months. Many who attend the prayerful, music-filled service are faithful parishioners, familiar with — and thankful for — the constancy and solemnity of the Evensong service according to the Book of Common Prayer.
Missa Orbis Factor in Lent
by Wesley R. Warren, Organist and Choirmaster
Written anonymously sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries, this mass setting has traditionally been appointed for Sundays in Ordinary Time throughout the year. It was particularly popular in Roman Catholic parishes before the Second Vatican Council, rivalling Missa de angelis. At St. Barnabas, we sing it as a congregational setting during Lent.
Mass Settings at St. Barnabas
by Wesley R. Warren, Organist and Choirmaster
Throughout the liturgical year at St. Barnabas, we alternate three congregational settings of the music for the ordinary of the mass — Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), Gloria in excelsis (Glory be to God on high), Credo (I believe in one God), Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy), Benedictus (Blessed is He that cometh) and Agnus Dei (O Lamb of God).