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Gregorian Chant Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge of the oldest, most beautiful form of Christian music!

A multiple-choice quiz by shusem81. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
shusem81

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
134,268

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
861

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The earliest music of Christianity arose mostly from which tradition? Hint

Greek chants to Zeus

Roman military songs

Jewish temple songs

Jewish communal meals

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Question 2 of 10

2. After the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, worship developed in monastic communities and in cathedral worship. To what does the word "cathedral" refer? Hint

A beautiful church

The singing of a choir

A small arched edifice

A church with the bishop's chair

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Question 3 of 10

3. Before Gregorian chant became supreme in the West, other forms of chant thrived in the West. However, all but one fell away. Which one of these chant-forms survived into the 12th century? Hint

Benevenutan Chant of Naples

Mozarabic Chant of Spain

Ambrosian Chant of Milan

Gallican Chant of France

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Question 4 of 10

4. The musical scale "Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do" has its roots in which Gregorian chant? Hint

Ut queant laxis

Salve Regina

Da pacem, Domine

Victimae paschali laudes

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who invented the musical staff, used to record the exact relationship between notes of music? Hint

Isidore of Seville

Boethius

Pope St. Gregory the Great

Guido of Arezzo

6. Around the 14th century, the "Ars Nova" began to take root in France. It marked the beginnings of harmony in church music, and the decline of Gregorian Chant. What is the name of this form of harmonious music? Hint

Melismatic Chant

Polyphony

Frenchsong

Aquitanian Plainsong

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the late 19th century, a group of Benedictine monks in France created a community that sought to revive the use of Gregorian chant. Where is that monastery located? Hint

Solesmes

Lourdes

Paris

Versailles

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which pope issued his Motu Proprio in 1903 that banned all secular music in church? Hint

Pope Pius IX

Pope Pius X

Pope Benedict XV

Pope John XXIII

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Question 9 of 10

9. According to the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council: "The Church recognizes Gregorian chant as ___________________" ? Hint

especially native to the Roman liturgy

an outdated way of singing that needs to be abolished

an ancient form of music

boring and sorrowful

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these is NOT a Marian antiphon? Hint

Regina Caeli

Salve Regina

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Alma Redemptoris Mater

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The earliest music of Christianity arose mostly from which tradition?

Answer: Jewish communal meals

The most distinctive services of the early Church were not Christianized synagogue or Temple gatherings, but rather the common meals attended by groups of disciples and the family-centered meals similar to the Sabbath meal and the Passover seder.

2. After the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, worship developed in monastic communities and in cathedral worship. To what does the word "cathedral" refer?

Answer: A church with the bishop's chair

The "cathedra" was the bishop's chair. The early church centered itself around the successors of the original 12 Apostles and grand worship developed in the churches of bishops.

3. Before Gregorian chant became supreme in the West, other forms of chant thrived in the West. However, all but one fell away. Which one of these chant-forms survived into the 12th century?

Answer: Ambrosian Chant of Milan

Ambrosian chant was supposed to have been created by St. Ambrose, so it managed to survive while other forms of chant disappeared.

4. The musical scale "Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do" has its roots in which Gregorian chant?

Answer: Ut queant laxis

The "Ut queant laxis", sung on the feast of St. John the Baptist, rises one note for each phrase. The first syllable for each phrase is "Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La" This gradually became the modern musical scale.

5. Who invented the musical staff, used to record the exact relationship between notes of music?

Answer: Guido of Arezzo

Guido of Arrezzo invented a four-lined staff with a "C" marking where the "Ut" or "Do" note fell on the staff. He lived in the 11th century.

Answer: Polyphony

Polyphony, basing its movement on the old Gregorian chant and adding 4 parts of harmony, became the dominant sacred music in the West.

7. In the late 19th century, a group of Benedictine monks in France created a community that sought to revive the use of Gregorian chant. Where is that monastery located?

Answer: Solesmes

The monks at Solesmes, France, have become THE authority on Gregorian chant.

8. Which pope issued his Motu Proprio in 1903 that banned all secular music in church?

Answer: Pope Pius X

This brought Gregorian chant back to prominance in the Church after 500 years of neglect.

9. According to the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council: "The Church recognizes Gregorian chant as ___________________" ?

Answer: especially native to the Roman liturgy

Contrary to popular notions, the Vatican II encouraged the use of Gregorian chant, and Latin, the pipe organ, etc.

10. Which of these is NOT a Marian antiphon?

Answer: Gloria in excelsis Deo

The Gloria is part of the Ordinary of the Mass, and is used for Sundays, Solemnities, and Feasts. The Marian antiphons (I left out Ave Regina Caelorum) are used at the end of Compline (Night Prayer).

Source: Author shusem81

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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