Compline will has resumed!
COMPLINE: Sundays from 9-9:30PM (October – April)
- Stephen Kennedy, Conductor
- Thatcher Lyman, Assistant
Compline at Christ Church is one of Rochester's most highly attended liturgies, and is certainly "the place to be" on Sunday nights. The Schola Cantorum sings the Office of Compline by candlelight each Sunday evening from October through April at 9:00 P.M. The ancient and historic Office of Compline is ideal for the needs of modern daily life. Compline, the most contemplative of the monastic offices, marks the close of the "Hours of the Divine Office", and its origins date back to the 4th Century monastic custom of private prayer and devotion before retiring. St. Benedict is responsible for the name of the office, its liturgical character and arrangement. Various members of the Schola Cantorum as well as faculty and students of the Eastman School of Music play organ preludes to Compline each Sunday evening at about 8:50 P.M.
CHRIST CHURCH (ESM) SCHOLA CANTORUM
“The Christ Church Schola Cantorum… sings beautifully” Fanfare, Jan/Feb 2010. The Schola was founded in 1997 by Stephen Kennedy for the purpose of performing the weekly Office of Compline at Christ Church. The intention was to provide a service to the community in which musical art and liturgy were seamlessly interwoven. Since its inception, the Schola has performed the Office of Compline on Sunday evenings from October through April. Participation in the Schola is offered for course credit at the Eastman School of Music. Specializing in Renaissance and Baroque music, the ensemble has been featured in various festivals and concert series, including the annual Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative Festival. The ensemble is also devoted to choral improvisation and to new music, having commissioned, premiered, and recorded works by a growing list of composers. Minnesota Public Radio and “With Heart and Voice” have featured the Schola in national broadcasts on many occasions. Our reissued 2004 debut recording was originally distributed by Gothic Records and has garnered considerable critical acclaim. The Schola’s second CD of the music of David Conte was released in 2008 on the ARSIS label. A recording of Mendelssohn’s choral and organ works featuring the Schola Cantorum and the Craighead Saunders Organ at Christ Church will be released on the LOFT recording label in 2012. Several new recording projects are currently in planning stages. The Schola is comprised of Parishoners of Christ Church, Rochester-area musicians, and Eastman School of Music faculty and students, all who volunteer their time and talent.
If you are intrested in auditioning, or assisting with the music program in any way, please contact Stephen Kennedy at: stephenk@rochester.rr.com
RECORDINGS OF THE SCHOLA CANTORUM
Recordings are available for $20.00 each throught the church office (585-454-3878). The Schola’s 2004 debut album, distributed by Gothic Records, has garnered considerable critical acclaim. The group’s second CD consists of the music of David Conte on the ARSIS label. A recording of Mendelssohn works will be released this year on the Loft recording label. Two new recording projects are being planned for in 2012.
FRIENDS OF MUSIC
Please contribute to our Friends of Music Fund. Your support is essential for our Music Program. Please call the church office at (585) 454-3878
REVIEWS AND COMENTS
“I was also invited… to attend Compline last night which was probably one of the most moving experiences in my life. I've attended a few Compline services, but none were as rewarding as yours….They were exquisite!” April 14, 2008, Dr. Craig Scott Symons, Director of Music/Organist, First United Methodist Church, Royal Oak, MI
“The recording is beautiful and I am glad to have been introduced to the Schola Cantorum and the work of Stephen Kennedy. The CD has been a joy to listen to.....terrific sound, wonderfully balanced with perfect pacing!” May 7, 2008, Steve Staruch, Host/Cultural Programming, Minnesota Public Radio
“Jacques van Oortmerssen, who shared a programme with the Schola Cantorum of Christ Church Episcopal, conducted by Stephen Kennedy. Van Oortmerssen's assured performances on the Casparini organ, coupled with the exquisite singing of the Schola, made for a memorable conclusion to EROI's Mendelssohn cycle.” November 2009, Westfield E-Newsletter of the Westfield Center, Vol. XXI, No.7; “EROI Festival 2009: Mendelssohn and the Contrapuntal Tradition” by Aaron James.
“The Christ Church Schola Cantorum… sings beautifully” Fanfare, Jan/Feb 2010, Colin Clarke.
COMPLINE LITURGY
The Preces
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen. Our help is in the Name of the Lord; The maker of heaven and earth.
Invitatory
O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 4 Cum invocarem
1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 "You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?"
3 Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.
4 Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bead.
5 Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the LORD.
6 Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!" *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 31 In te, Domine, speravi
1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame: *
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me, O LORD, O God of truth.
Psalm 134 Ecce Nunc
1 Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,*
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
The Gloria Patri is chanted at the conclusion of the Psalm(s)
The Lesson
One of the following Lessons is chanted
Lord, you are in the midst of us, and we are called by your
Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God. Jeremiah 14:9,22
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, and great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8-9a
The Hymn
Te lucis ante terminum
(Festal, or Ferial Tones by Thomas Tallis, c. 1505–1585)
To thee before the close of day, Creator of the world, we pray That, with thy wonted favour, thou Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our sight, From fears and terrors of the night; Withhold from us our ghostly foe, That spot of sin we may not know.
O Father, that we ask be done, Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son, Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee, Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.
The Motet(s)
A motet is chosen from the Schola repertoire
The Responsory
V. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
R. For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
V. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
R. Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
The Kyrie
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The Collect and Prayers
One of the following prayrs is chanted
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by
night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snare of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
One of the following prayers is added
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other's toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Silent intercessions
The Nunc dimittis
ANTIPHON: Guide us waking O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you prepared for all the world to see. A light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. ANTIPHON
The Concluding Versical and Blessing
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
The Hymn to the Virgin
This plainsong hymn is sung in accordance with the Roman Rite and changes seasonally.
Deo gratias
Setting by William Byrd 1543–1623
Thanks be to God