Cathedral Canaries

 

 

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my SONG will I praise him.”     Psalm 28:7

 

 

Liturgical Music

Liturgical music in Roman Catholic Church is the sacred music of the highest degree. It originated as part of the religious ceremonies and includes a number of traditions. The qualities that create the distinctive character of liturgical music are based on the notion that liturgical music is conceived and composed according to the sanctity and purity of the form. It represents the most elaborate means of expression of music complying with every liturgical requirement while seeming to be spontaneous outpourings of adoring hearts. The music in itself is holy and excludes all kinds of profanity not only from it but also from the manner in which it is presented by those who execute it. Universality is its nature and no one of any nation may receive an impression other than good on hearing them.

The Syro – Malabar Pattern

Even though Roman Catholic Church gives space for the native elements in the Church music, the pattern followed by us in the Syro – Malabar tradition, we think, needs a close introspection. Though non- erroneous, the degree idealized in liturgical music is yet to be attained beyond any doubts. Lesser attention we give to the choral singing stands as a major pull - back factor in this regard. Church music is intended to elevate the thoughts and mind of the devotee to the Lord, the eternal virtuous existence. The exhibitionist tendencies coupled with the insatiable multiplicity of instruments, which are the characteristic features of the present day church music need some checks and balances in order to attain the desired levels of quality.  Church music must be extended to all who attend the service and the participation from the whole congregation is pivotal in its spiritual aspect.

The Cathedral Canaries

It is precisely based on thoughts headed in pursuit of attaining that highest degree, the Cathedral Canaries took its ideological birth. The resurgence and reformation in Church music conceived by the Gregorian tradition stands tall at present and we, the Cathedral Canaries, exhort our commitment to the resurgence in music which is presumably the need of the hour. As a choral group, the Cathedral Canaries serves at the St. Dominic’s Cathedral Church located in Kanjirapally, a land that holds an age old history and cultural heritage in Kerala, a State in South India. The St. Dominic’s Church, Kanjirapally, which was elevated as a Cathedral Church in 1977 has a long standing tradition of catering the spiritual needs of the local Christian community since 1842. The Church with its exceptional blend of the Spanish and Greek architecture creates a majestic physical presence and with no doubt, is a treat for the eyes. The church and its interiors are planned and constructed clearly meeting the liturgical requirements. More than mere coincidence, its is the culmination of a divine intervention that cleared the way for the choral group the Cathedral Canaries to have its origin from here.

The minimal orchestration we employ in the whole service reiterates our adherence and closeness to the idealized Liturgical Music. But the reformation at no point means that we disregard or sideline the importance of the native and local elements in our tradition of Church Music. Our objective, we realize, is noble and comes along with enormous responsibilities. We are certain in our conviction that, through our songs, we will be able to spread ample lights and energy necessary for the resurgence aforesaid. The choir comprises of about 40 singers united in the same call to serve God through the gift of voice, and the interest in choral singing. We are also open in our minds to welcome suitable aspiring voices to join us in singing.

 It must also be noted that, it is the conventional elements and songs in the present day Church Music that create the platform for us. In fact, the uniqueness, let us say, is all about the tools we use for this purpose. Our songs are distinct in the way in which we execute it as a choral singing arranged in Harmony.

Much beyond the preconceived notion of Harmony as an orderly arrangement of instrumental music, the Cathedral Canaries is itself placed at a transcended position as a group representing a methodical arrangement of human voice. It is beyond doubts a fact that Harmony is the top quality musical arrangement. The Sopranos, Alto, Base and Tenor which forms the conventional and integral parts of a harmony create the foundation of the music of the Cathedral Canaries.

The choral group is passionately committed to the intention and purpose of upholding an idea of ‘Harmonizing Minds’ which is the supreme Christian message. We welcome open minds to lend their ears for the musical incarnation of a noble thought.  The Cathedral Canaries is a finely wrought attempt to unite faith and vision by a divine instrument, music. The choral group, as a venture, does not make statements, but arrives at them. The attempt is a progression. Any vision can only exist and can only be perceived under conditions of harmony of minds and this thought lights up our path. We hope to discover a symphony of concord. It may be demanding, but like all great ‘cosmic symphonies’, it unites human affairs with God - the author of all good. We welcome the spiritual community to join us to sing and praise the Lord, the King of all creations.