Canticum Verborum

Welcome to Canticum Verborum

Here at Canticum Verborum, or โ€œSong of Words,โ€ David shares insights about his compositions and his thoughts on Catholic liturgical music in general, always with a view toward transcending the worldly and entering into the solemn worship of Almighty God through the timeless traditions of the Church.

  • Getting Started

    Getting Started

    If youโ€™re new to DAS Works, and whatโ€™s being offered at this website, hereโ€™s an overview and some guidance to help you get started. First, the website offers recordings and PDF scores of the composerโ€™s music.  The audio is available via streaming membership, or as downloadable audio files in mp3,…

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  • What is Sacred Music?

    What is Sacred Music?

    “Cantare amantis est”: Singing as an Act of Love โ€œCantare amantis est,โ€ St. Augustine once observedโ€”singing belongs to one who lovesโ€”and since the Eucharist is the supreme act of Christโ€™s love for us, it is only appropriate that we give thanks for this sublime act through song. The Birth of…

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  • Now, more than everโ€ฆ

    Now, more than everโ€ฆ

    Now, more than ever, we must bring back the beauty of music to the Roman Catholic Tradition… โ€œThe profound connection between beauty and the liturgy should make us attentive to every work of art placed at the service of the celebrationโ€ฆEverything related to the Eucharist should be marked by beautyโ€…

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  • Extending the use of Two-Part Motets

    Extending the use of Two-Part Motets

    The thirty-one Two-Part motets were originally written as โ€œtraining wheelsโ€ for choirs who need to gain more confidence in singing polyphony and harmony, and to learn rhythmic control.  Also, there has always been a shortage of short โ€œfill-inโ€ choral music for liturgical situations.  For example, at communion, a choir will…

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