We’re celebrating our 50th episode with a special live show! Recorded with a live audience at Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring, Minnesota, this interview with Dan Schutte is from a Lenten mission that took place on March 8, 2020. This was the last time the three of us were able to travel before the quarantines and travel restrictions put into place because of the Corona Virus pandemic. This is an hour filled with conversation, stories, reflection, and music making. It’s the same kin...
Mar 26, 2021•Season 4Ep. 7
We are closing out Advent and 2020 with our third annual “OYH Lessons & Carols.” You’ll hear a range of instrumental and choral music from a variety of composers. You’ll also hear readings from scripture and seasonal reflections woven throughout, read by friends of the podcast: Kate Williams, LaTonia Clark Chalmers, Genoa Arling, Ivy O’Connell, Audrey Reichert, and Clare Reichert.. We hope that this celebration will serve as a moment of pause and reflection during this busy time of year. So,...
Dec 24, 2020•Season 4Ep. 6
Happy Advent! As we journey through this sacred season toward the celebration of Christ’s birth we are spending time revisiting some of our favorite Advent music. Today we feature a conversation with Craig Colson about his piece “This is Your Justice,” filled with references to texts from the prophet Isaiah. In addition to excerpts from our interview with Craig you’ll hear an extended playlist, journeying through new and familiar music for the season. Make sure to visit our social media pages fo...
Dec 13, 2020•Season 4Ep. 5
We are proud to bring you this interview replay! This episode was originally posted in December, 2018. Happy New Liturgical Year! Advent has just begun, and to kick things off, we’re bringing you one of our favorite seasonal episodes from the past four years. Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Carol Browning about “Creator of the Stars of Night.” Bob Moore stops by to talk about Carol’s music, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, gives some historical background to the 1,00...
Nov 29, 2020•Season 4Ep. 4
This week we celebrate the Feast of All Souls, and in this time of remembrance, we thought we’d take some time to honor the composers, text authors, and pastoral musicians who passed away over this last year. In this episode, you’ll hear music from six members of our field who died between November 2019 and November 2020. As we celebrate their lives and their contributions, we hope you’ll join us and add in the names of your loved ones, colleagues, friends, mentors, choir members, neighbors – wh...
Nov 01, 2020•Season 4Ep. 3
We’ve been featuring the music of Janét Sullivan Whitaker in our episodes for several seasons. If you’re a long-time listener of the podcast, you’ve heard her compositions in many “OYH Playlist” segments and special themed episodes. We’re excited to finally feature an interview with Janét, and we discuss all of the usual topics: setting text, crafting melody, and more. We’ll also hear one of our favorite cringe-worthy cantor moments, and you don’t want to miss it. So, please open your hymnals to...
Oct 01, 2020•59 min•Season 4Ep. 2
It’s finally here! After an extended summer “break,” we’re happy to be back with an all new episode! Today we’re kicking-off Season 4 of Open Your Hymnal with a special preview episode. You’ll hear a run-down of the songs and composers we’ll be featuring in our upcoming season. You’ll also hear a little more about some of our new approach to programming and interviewing. Our first full interview episode will be out in just a few weeks. Of course, we have more plans in the works for Season 4 than...
Aug 28, 2020•59 min•Season 4Ep. 1
As with all of you, things at Open Your Hymnal have been different the last several weeks. So, we’re behind with our new episodes. We promise we’ll get back to them very soon. In the meantime, though, we can’t ignore the things that are happening in our communities. We’re feeling the pile up of grief, sadness, anger, and hopelessness. So, we offer these songs to you, hoping they meet you wherever you are, that they accompany you, speak to you. At a time when, on the one hand we’ve lost our abili...
May 30, 2020•59 min•Season 3Ep. 17
This is the night! Our prayer series concludes with this offering for the Easter Vigil. You’ll hear prayers written by John Kyler, a reflection given by Fr. Michael Joncas, and music selections from several composers. May it be a way for you to enter deeply into these holy days, and may it serve as a way for us all to pray together, though we are apart. So, please pray with us!
Apr 11, 2020•Season 3Ep. 16
Our prayer series continues with this offering for Good Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord. You’ll hear prayers written by John Kyler, a reflection given by Fr. Michael Joncas, and music selections from several composers. May it be a way for you to enter deeply into these holy days, and may it serve as a way for us all to pray together, though we are apart. So, please pray with us!
Apr 10, 2020•Season 3Ep. 15
These holy days of Triduum are unlike any other days of the year. This year, for many in areas affected by COVID-19, our celebration will be unlike any other year. In order to provide a way for us to still pray together, we are presenting a special podcast series for Triduum. You’ll hear prayers written by John Kyler, a reflection given by Fr. Michael Joncas, and music selections from several composers. So, please pray with us!
Apr 09, 2020•Season 3Ep. 14
(photo credit: Saint John’s Abbey) At this time of year, communities gather together to pray the Stations of the Cross. However, due to the spread of COVID-19, this is not possible for many parishes around the world. In order to provide a way for us to still walk the way of the Cross together, we are presenting a special podcast version of Stations of the Cross with original reflections and prayers as well as a newly composed music setting by Zack Stachowski. You’ll also hear several selections ...
Mar 24, 2020•Season 3Ep. 13
It’s back! Our favorite podcasting event of the year returns with the 2020 “Hymn Tune Madness” Tournament. This year our bracket is populated with hymn tunes voted on by you, our faithful listeners. There are some returners from our first tournament last year, with favorites like NETTLETON, HYFRYDOL, SLANE, and PASSION CHORALE. There are also several upstarts who are making their first appearance in the tournament, like OLD HUNDREDTH, LAND OF REST, and AR HYD Y NOS. You can download and fill-in ...
Mar 20, 2020•59 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Take twenty minutes out of your day to pause, reflect, and pray. Following a basic evening prayer structure, this prayer experience includes Psalmody, Psalm prayers, readings from Scripture, time for reflection, intercessions, and a blessing.
Mar 13, 2020•Season 3Ep. 11
The Dameans and OYH! Darryl Ducote, Matt Reichert, Buddy Caesar, Gary Daigle, Mike Balhoff, Gary Ault, and Zack Stachowski (NPM 2019, Raleigh) The Dameans occupy a special place in the development of contemporary Catholic music following the Second Vatican Council. They made significant contributions to the growing repertoire of liturgical music, they helped shape the ways communities experienced the liturgy, and they influenced the way composers approached writing and recording music for prayer...
Feb 13, 2020
We are closing out Advent with our second annual “OYH Lessons & Carols.” You’ll hear a range of great music from a variety of composers. You’ll also hear non-scriptural readings woven throughout, read by friends of the podcast: Meredith Augustin, Rory Cooney, Bex Gaunt, David Haas, Carol Browning, Jaime Cortez, Kate Williams, and Audrey and Clare Reichert. Whether you listen while driving in the car, baking Christmas cookies, preparing for liturgy, or anyplace else, we hope that this celebra...
Dec 23, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 9
OYH is shaking things up and turning our microphone around! Today, our co-host Zack Stachowski serves as our interview guest, speaking about his Advent piece, “When You Come.” Since the co-host is becoming the guest, it only makes sense to have one of our past guests serve as co-host. We’re glad to be joined by Tony Alonso, who serves as co-host and helped interview Zack. As a special surprise, you’ll also hear from a host of other guests from past episodes, all sharing their insights into Zack’...
Dec 18, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 8
This is a special rebroadcast of our episode from November, 2018. It’s the first OYH Hymn Fest! In honor of the Feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of music, we’re celebrating some of our favorite hymn texts and hymn tunes. We’ll play a lot of music, including hymns from the English, German, Irish, and American traditions and some recently composed texts and tunes. We’ll also chat with special guests Dr. Michael McMahon (executive director of The Hymn Society), Brian Hehn (director of the Center for...
Nov 22, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 7
On September 29, 2019, the five member of the St. Louis Jesuits presented their final concert together, and OYH was there! Today, co-hosts Zack and Matt are joined by several guests to look back on the contributions of this pioneering group of composers. You’ll hear from listeners, pastoral musicians, and liturgical composers including Tom Booth, Lorraine Hess, Carol Browning, Bob Moore, Rory Cooney, Craig Colson, and Jaime Cortez. Most importantly, you’ll hear lots of our favorite songs from th...
Oct 05, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 6
It’s our first ever live episode! Recorded with a live audience at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Canton, Ohio, this interview is from the second night of a three-night parish mission given just before Lent in March, 2019. Join Zack and Matt for a conversation with composer Marty Haugen about several of his best-known songs. They’ll explore song writing, approaches to setting Scripture, instrumentation and musical styles, and more. You don’t want to miss it! So, please open your hymnal!...
Aug 10, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 4
It’s our first audio “yearbook”! In this episode, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert bring you musical highlights from the 2019 One Call Institute. One Call exists to help support, empower, and engage young pastoral musicians and their advocates. This year, participants gathered from across the country to learn, pray, and make music together. Most importantly, the participants were sent out to continue using their skills and talents in their home communities. Today’s episode explores a s...
Jul 06, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 2
It’s the Season 3 premier! Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert are joined by composer Tom Booth to talk about his song, “I Will Choose Christ.” There is a lot packed into this episode! Conversion, encounter, vocation, evangelization, and the craziest recording story we’ve heard so far (teaser: Paul McCartney). You’ll also hear the first every OYH Playlist debut, as Tom shares one of the first songs he ever wrote, back when he was 17, never before recorded or published. So, please open your hymnal ...
Jun 01, 2019•59 min•Season 3Ep. 1
It’s our “May Crowning” episode! We’re continuing our celebration of the treasury of devotional songs written in honor of the Blessed Mother with a hybrid show: part interview, part special feature. To help us out, we’re speaking with composer Lorraine Hess about her setting of the “Memorare” prayer. In addition to featuring her song, you’ll hear a wide range of musical selections covering styles from chant to hymnody, from folk songs to contemporary pieces. So, please open your hymnals!...
May 11, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 21
To conclude our Lenten series, we are bringing you our Easter Vigil episode, originally released in March, 2018.. Join hosts Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski as they return to composers Gary Daigle and Rory Cooney, this time in conversation together about one of their best-known and best-loved collaborations. You'll hear about "homiletic" texts, the song's intended use for rites of initiation, and the latest OYH liturgical music "bombshell". Our conversation is also joined by Diana Macalintal w...
Apr 20, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Often, the songs that resonate with people the most are those that originate in authentic experience. Join hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Tom Kendzia about his song, “I, the Lord,” a song of comfort with a very personal connection. Tom will also talk about the evolution of contemporary Catholic music, give a glimpse into the recording process, explore the role of the producer, and more! So, please open your hymnal to "I, the Lord."
Apr 13, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 19
This is a special re-release of our original episode from March, 2018. It has been expanded to include the OYH Playlist feature, and more! Join us as OYH ventures "across the pond"! In this interview recorded in July 2017, Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski spoke with composer Paul Inwood about one of his best-loved compositions and, in the process, learned a little bit about the trajectory of post-Vatican II music in the United Kingdom. In addition to earning extra frequent listener miles, this ...
Apr 09, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Our Lenten journey continues with powerful personal witness from composer Ken Canedo. Join OYH hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Ken about his own return to the Church and how it led to the composition of one of his most beloved songs. They’ll also speak about Ken’s work chronicling the history of contemporary Catholic liturgical music, and Ken shares his experience as a person with hearing impairment. You won’t want to miss it! So, please open your hymnal to "Fly Like a...
Apr 01, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 17
We are marking the mid-point of Lent with a special feature episode. You’ll hear a range of great seasonal music from a variety of composers arranged around the final three Gospel readings for Lent, the “Scrutiny Gospels.” These readings are shared with us by composers Meredith Augustin, Ian Callanan, and Luke Rosen. We hope that this presentation will help you in your own preparations for the celebration of Easter. So, please open your hymnals!
Mar 24, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 16
It’s our Lenten kick-off episode! To commemorate the start of the season, we are re-releasing our conversation with Alan Hommerding from February, 2017. You’ll hear the same great interview, but with added features like the OYH Playlist segment. Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they chat with composer and text-writer Alan Hommerding. They discuss the way metrical hymns works, the "evaporating pool" of hymn tunes in American parishes, and the need for a moratorium on the tune BEACH SPRIN...
Mar 09, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 14
We’re focusing on music written by women composers, and we’re blessed to be joined by five guests: Sarah Hart, Lori True, Carol Browning, Lorraine Hess, and Kate Williams. You’ll hear our guests discuss the experience of composing, publishing, and ministry as women. You’ll also hear several additional composers featured in this episode’s OYH Playlist. So, please open your hymnals!
Mar 04, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 13
