#100daysofchant Challenge

Violinist Hilary Hahn has done multiple 100 day challenges, encouraging viewers to persevere with practising a musical instrument. I have admired the idea, but felt I couldn't commit to such a project, until it occurred to me that Anchor.fm, Rumble and YouTube both give the opportunity to schedule posts. I wanted to see if I could keep up with making short chant videos for 100 days running.

It is a slightly different focus. Instead of showcasing the process of practising everyday, I'm releasing more of a finished product, but not polished, just a quick thing. My point is not so much personal, but showing Gregorian chant - the variety and accessibility. It should be the normal repertoire for Catholics both in personal prayer and liturgically.

As of writing this, I have posts scheduled through to 30 days, so I'm feeling pretty happy with how it's going. There are so many pieces of chant available, especially with the wonderful collection assembled by volunteers in Gregobase, that I will never run out of music. The main limiting factor I've found is in my ability to sight read. I generally choose pieces that I know, but it's more exciting for me to branch out and explore all the new pieces.

If your browser uses Javascript, then this paragraph should finish with a link to a random selection from Gregobase:

Another idea is to do a livestream sight-singing randomly selected pieces from Gregobase. I think this could be done via Zoom, so if anyone else out there likes the idea, then let's give it a go!

My #100daysofchant challenge is currently running on Anchor.fm, YouTube, Rumble, Odysee, Instagram, and Facebook. It would probably have been a good idea to just focus on one platform, but it has been fun working out the best workflow. Also, flooding all channels with chant sounds great.

More Javascript ideas - clicking the button should bring a new piece of Gregorian chant from Gregobase each time it's clicked.