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“Ut queant laxis“ or “Hymnus in Ioannem“ - a medieval Latin chant hymn for the feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24th), is the source for what we have come to know as the solfege syllables (Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La). A creative mnemonic device, the first syllable of each phrase begins on an intervallic step above the previous, creating six tones of a musical scale, and the basis for the hexachord. Sung by Donna Stewart (of Mignarda), from the 2014 album Adoro Te: Gregorian chant hymns & Marian antiphons, available at The chant is sung at our preferred pitch standard of A=392, which we use in all of our music. But if you read the chant notation, you will notice the voice transposes the chant up to a comfortable pitch that optimizes delivery of the text. This common-sense approach of pitching the chant to where the voices are most comfortable is and always has been standard practice for any schola involved in singing Gregorian chant for the Latin Mass. For the convenience of those reading the chant and singing along using the modern standard reference pitch of A=440, the voice begins on the pitch of Bb, a minor third higher than the initial notated pitch (G). recorded live at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, Cleveland, Ohio. Ut queant laxis resonare fibris Mira gestorum famuli tuorum, Solve polluti labiis reatum, Sancte Joannes. Nuntius celso veniens Olympo, te patri magnum fore nasciturum, nomen, et vitae seriem gerendae, ordine promit. Ille promissi dubius superni perdidit promptae modulos loquelae; sed reformasti genitus peremptae organa vocis. Ventris obstruso recubans cubili, senseras Regem thalamo manentem: hinc parens nati, meritis uterque, abdita pandit. Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli et tibi, compar utriusque virtus, Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni temporis aevo. Amen St. John, release the sins of our lips in order that your servants may be able to relate your wonderful deeds with full resound. A lofty messenger comes from Olympus, revealing to your father your impending birth, your name, your conduct, and the sequence of your life. That unbelievable heavenly promise set forth in a few words, when proven true by your birth, restored voice to the voiceless. Lying darkly cradled in your mother's womb, you perceived the King abiding also in his chamber. Henceforth each set of parents, with hands outstretched, concealed their children's merits. Glory be to the Father, and to the begotten Son and to you his comrade, of equal virtue. One God, for all times, all seasons, all generations.
