Liquescents and episemas are not used...
...The quilisma is used only in the Preface sung by the celebrant, not in congregational chants.
In the music to be provided to the Conferences of Bishops, ICEL seriously considered employing the venerable four‐line square note notation of the Latin chant books. Once one learns the medieval notation, which does not take long, it is in some ways easier to read than modern five‐line notation. But pastoral considerations argued against this approach. There is danger that the traditional four‐line notation would pose a practical hindrance and psychological barrier for some singers. The uppermost goal must be to enable sung liturgy. Though a standard G clef (without key signature) is used with this five‐line notation, it is not intended to suggest an absolute pitch, but rather, as in four‐line notation, relative pitch, to accommodate various ranges of voices that will be singing these chants.
First Progress Report of the ICEL Music Committee
In the music to be provided to the Conferences of Bishops, ICEL seriously considered employing the venerable four‐line square note notation of the Latin chant books. Once one learns the medieval notation, which does not take long, it is in some ways easier to read than modern five‐line notation.
But pastoral considerations argued against this approach.
There is danger that the traditional four‐line notation would pose a practical hindrance and psychological barrier for some singers.
The uppermost goal must be to enable sung liturgy.
I find that decision.... unfortunate.
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