Oh, yes, I will link to it. A continuing seminar, as it were.

We also hope it will be fun for everyone. Part of the problem we face with Gregorian chant is the perception that to love it is to be all serious, all the time. We all know that this isn't true but the web could use more places that illustrate what we all know. Maybe there will be some valuable insights along the way. You can see that we have bloggers of different perspectives, ages, and countries represented.

Ha ha, that's extremely funny! All good reasons!

But your post does raise an interesting question/issue concerning what I've long perceived as a perception that chant is somehow linked to conservatism broadly considered. I know this is the perception, but, as I've written many times in many places, I just don't see it in real life. Many conservative/Republican activists Catholics I know gravitate to praise music (I've long ago given up counting on the "right" to back chant), while some of the biggest supporters of chant i know consider themselves left/socialist etc. I really don't know what to make of the demographic issues here but I do know that the caricature doesn't seem to hold up in real life. My own view is that chant is for everyone regardless of politics etc.

Jeff, the perception you describe stems from a general confusion between political and religious conservatism. Abortion is probably the primary issue that blurs the boundary, at least in the U.S. Just look at the media scrutiny of Supreme Court Justices Roberts and Alito for signs that people equate the one with the other. "If he's a good Catholic, then he would most certainly work to upend abortion 'rights.'" In the public mind, other Catholic teachings like the indissolubility of marriage have also become equated with conservative social values more generally. There is also, of course, a long history of abstract suspicion toward Catholics in this country (anti-democracy, subversive, etc.) that lingers today and has only been amplified by the sexual abuse scandal. That's less related to any particular political ideology, but it's certainly in the air.

Chant's reputation probably suffers as a result. Viewed as quintessentially Catholic music and to a lesser degree as liturgically reactionary, it becomes entangled in the web of popular Catholic political stereotypes. But the association with one political leaning or another is only that, a mere stereotype (as you rightly suggest).

As an interesting corollary to your view that chant is for everyone, I certainly know political polar opposites at my parish who love the Haugen-Haas stuff. Apparently it's for everyone, too!

In the U.S., at least we are fortunate enough not to have to deal with the long and complex association of Catholicism with "conservative" politics in Western Europe. The post about churches in France on the Chant Café inspired me think about that for a long time this evening. We think it's bad here, but it could be worse.

Indeed, Jeffrey. What a relief to see us getting back to pushing long-hair music. ;-)

thank you so much for bringing this up. I myself wanted to form a group called "liberals for fiddlebacks"
truth is ive really struggled with being a left of center person with traditional sensabilities. ive often felt very uncomfortable with certain nameless blogs that really do seem to say that unless your a social conservative you cant be "pure" or "orthodox" enough to really matter.(one respected liturgy blog has a link to rush limbaugh)
this is important bacause such an attitude shoots oneself in the foot and only guarentees that the reform of the reform continues to be a fringe movement with limited ability to influence the catholic in the pew suffering through yet another rendition of eagles wings...

'atheist philosophy' [?]

I appreciate Michael O'Connor and don roy's comments. As a musician, I prefer to focus on the work at hand.

And as a harpist who plays a heavy dose of Celtic repertoire, I find myself surrounded by people with whom I share absolutely nothing in common except a fondness for this music - self-proclaimed "Pagans," vegans, eco-enthusiasts, born-again Christians, random seekers, and folks who want to compete in a feis and individuals who want to share their highly personal reasons for playing the harp.

I move quickly to the next tune or ask how major league baseballl is doing in their town.

Amen to that, Jeffrey!

Conservatives are naturally attracted to traditional things, so it's no wonder that traditional Catholics tend towards that political spectrum. I can certainly understand how a more liberal (I cannot bring myself to use the word "progressive") person would be uncomfortable in the donut line after a TLM, but we must try to keep the focus where it belongs. God is neither conservative nor liberal. These are distinctions we make when trying to understand Him. So, next time you are tempted to get into a political discussion at Colloquium, remember that there may be someone who strongly disagrees with you at the table.

continuing with dev. this facebook page could use some fans.

I'm doing my best to keep up, somehow, with a brief commentary on events at the colloquium: Chant Cafe

I don't think the comment boxes are too far out there. You're on the internet, so the comments are going to get heated from time to time. From my experience, the current comments on the Cafe are pretty mild. Maybe some sort of comment policy would be in order?

True enough but we really don't want to shut down discussion

That's easy enough to change.

good point. however, I'm resisting shutting them down.

Anyone have design suggestions for the site?

A large close-up of Jeffrey at the top, respectably dressed and shaven, smiling sincerely down at us (and a CMAA sales section underneath it).

Other than that, I like it as it is.

I'd find some other font than what appears to be Times New Roman for the title, but otherwise I too like it as it is.

How easy would it be to add an anchor so that we snap directly to the comments after clicking the "comments" link, instead of arriving at the top of the page?
(It would save some time for those of us using screen magnifiers, and I suspect would be helpful for those using screen readers too.)

Glad to know I'm the problem, Michael. Thanks for your input. I'll take it under advisement.

like the new title font?

Trebuchet, if I'm not deceived? To be honest, no -- it's a step above Courier New, but a step or two below Times for your purposes. Might I suggest Garamond (perhaps at a slightly larger point size), Georgia, or Palatino? I think you want to go the serif route for your title.

I like Georgia.

Jeffrey:

I hope you won't be offended by my design suggestion. If you are, my sincere apology in advance. It's all in good humor!

see design

Well, I thought this proper was appropriate because it is titled the 'visit of the shepherds' of which Jeffrey is one of the great chant shepherds of our time. Besides, the text actually translates thus:

The Lord reigns, he has enrobed himself with majesty

:}

Kinda brings up the image of the Wizzard of Oz now that I think about it! The Wizzard of Chant, perhaps? I could design it in flash and have neumes dancing like sugar plums around his head!