Gregorian Chant

Question 1

What is Mass Ordinary and what are some examples?

Answer 1

A portion of the Roman Catholic Mass that has its text stay the same. These include Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei (Middle Ages)

Question 2

What is Mass Proper?

Answer 2

A portion of the Roman Catholic Mass that has its text and music differ depending on the date, geography, etc. These involve Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion (Middle Ages)

Question 3

Who was Gregorian Chant named after?

Answer 3

Pope Gregory I, leader of the Catholic Church from 590-604 (Middle Ages)

Question 4

What did Gregorian Chant evolve from?

Answer 4

The Hebrew Chant tradition (Middle Ages)

Question 5

What were Pope Gregory I’s important contributions to music?

Answer 5

1. He started unifying the regional chants, as they were not always the same as the Roman chants
2. He oversaw the expansion of schola cantorum, a music school training choirs sung by around 20-30 boys and men in the art of sacred music
   A common misconception is that he composed chants; he actually did not write any chants (Middle Ages)

Question 6

What is a Gregorian Chant?

Answer 6

A type of plainchant that is sacred, liturgical music with Latin or Greek texts that may involve responsorial singing (Middle Ages)

Question 7

What is Syllabic Text Setting?

Answer 7

One note per syllable of text (Middle Ages)

Question 8

What is Neumatic Text Setting?

Answer 8

2-4 notes per syllable of text (Middle Ages)

Question 9

What is Melismatic Text Setting?

Answer 9

many notes per syllable of text (Middle Ages)

Question 10

What is Responsorial Singing?

Answer 10

A method of performance where a solo voice alternates with the chorus. The solo voice is called the “verse” and the chorus the “respond” (Middle Ages)

Question 11

What is Mass?

Answer 11

Mass is the most important service in the liturgy of the Catholic Church that is mainly prayers and verses from the Bible (Middle Ages)

Question 12

What is “Gradual”?

Answer 12

The 4th section of Mass proper that involves melismatic text setting, responsorial singing, and is based on the Psalms (texts from the Old Testament) (Middle Ages)

Question 13

ALL CHARACTERISTICS OF HAEC DIES CHANT

Answer 13

Mode: Dorian
Texture: Monophonic
Performing Forces: Solo and Chorus
Interval range: unison to fifth
Composer: Anonymous
Composition date: Early Middle Ages
Mass Component: Mass proper, gradual of the easter day ceremony
Language: Latin
Performance Method: Responsorial Singing
Rhythm: Unmeasured
Text Setting: Melismatic
Melodic Range: Small but higher than usual for the Middle Ages (Middle Ages)