My choir (a Gospel choir that I have converted into a traditional choir) has begun learning the Introit for Lent V, "Judica Me." One of the problems that is coming up is that on the second line (if using this score: http://isaacjogues.org/chants/155/files/765/) they want to put an episma on the clivis of "am" of "meam" (the first 2 notes on the second line). No matter how many times I try to break them of this (3 rehearsals now), they just naturally seem to put it there.
They can all basically read neumes by now, so that's not the problem... the problem is that to their collective ears, it sounds as though there should be an episma there.
So the question is... Do I continue trying to break them of this habit or let the chant organically develop as they learn it. It doesn't sound bad to me.
Learning these propers (we're doing both the Introit and Offertory for Lent V - it's a Mass said by our Bishop, Novus Ordo) far in advance so they can be absolutely perfect - so I would have time to break them of it.
Any advice?
They can all basically read neumes by now, so that's not the problem... the problem is that to their collective ears, it sounds as though there should be an episma there.
So the question is... Do I continue trying to break them of this habit or let the chant organically develop as they learn it. It doesn't sound bad to me.
Learning these propers (we're doing both the Introit and Offertory for Lent V - it's a Mass said by our Bishop, Novus Ordo) far in advance so they can be absolutely perfect - so I would have time to break them of it.
Any advice?