Written in 2014 whilst working as a Director of Music in a monastery, this 5000+ word paper explores chant accompaniment in a practical and reflective capacity, drawing on subjects including:

• Choral singing in the monastic/community context

• Rhythm

• Registering for chant accompaniment

• Good harmonic direction

• The organist as guardian of silence

• Intonations

• Silence, proclamation and liturgical accompaniment

• ‘Pastoral’ accompaniment

• Musical Lectio Divina

• Facing community criticism

• Music as healer

  It is written from a personal perspective and hopes to offer guidelines for organists less experienced in chant accompaniment as well as wholesome spiritual reflections on the vocation of music-making in the church community.