Join us for the 2025-26 SSO Chorus Season - all regular seasons concerts are presented at Bethel Congregational Church in Ontario California

NEXT CONCERT WITH SSO CHORUS:

NELSON MASS - Sunday April 12, 2026  at 4pm 

Rehearsals begin Tuesday Feb 17th  (see rehearsal schedule page for full details)

AND - visit the SSOC MEMBERS ONLY PAGE for special pdf files and audio tracks for practice. (Get your password from Dr. Mann)

 

To join the chorus:

Email DrMann@SSOChorus.com for more info

 

Or click this link:

https://form.jotform.com/62574681117156

 GERMAN PRONUNCIATION GUIDE - CLICK HERE!

 AND - Here is a guide to the IPA symbols:

IPA Guide

Latin Pronounciation Guide

Dr. Mann’s Latin Rules for Haydn “Nelson” Mass  (Click for PDF)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AofvXG-DWvuZ2qrSWeM9uWWn_m-LMYOa/view?usp=sharing)

Haydn's Nelson Mass uses Ecclesiastical (Church) Latin, characterized by Italianate vowel sounds and specific consonant rules.

 Key guidelines include: 

  • pronouncing 'c' as 'ch' before e, i, ae, oe, making 'gn' sound like 'ny' (e.g., Agnus), and 
  • keeping vowels pure and sustained. Nasalize consonants like 'm' and 'n' sparingly. 

Vowel Sounds (Pure and Open)

  • A: "ah" (as in father)
  • E: "eh" (as in met)
  • I: "ee" (as in see)
  • O: "oh" (as in obey)
  • U: "oo" (as in rule)
  • Ae/Oe: "ay" (as in say) 

Consonant Rules 

  • C: "ch" before e, i, ae, oe (e.g., excelsis = ek-shell-sees); otherwise "k" (e.g., credo = kreh-doh).
  • G: Soft "j" before e, i (e.g., genitum = jeh-nee-toom); hard "g" elsewhere.
  • Gn: "ny" (e.g., Agnus = ah-nyoos).
  • J: "y" sound (e.g., Jesu = yeh-soo).
  • Sc: "sh" before e, i, ae, oe (e.g., ascendit = ah-shen-deet).
  • Ti: "tsee" when before a vowel (e.g., gratia = grah-tsee-ah).
  • H: Mostly silent, or a light breath. 

Specific Nelson Mass Key Terms

  • Kyrie: Kee-ree-eh
  • Eleison: Eh-lay-ee-sohn
  • Gloria: Gloh-ree-ah
  • Qui tollis: Kwee toh-lees
  • Sanctus: Sahnk-toos
  • Benedictus: Beh-neh-deek-toos
  • Agnus Dei: Ah-nyoos Deh-ee
  • Credo: Kreh-doh 

Tips for Singers

  • No Silent Letters: Every letter is pronounced (e.g., peccata is pec-cah-tah).
  • Final Vowels: Ensure final vowels are sustained, not dropped (e.g., Kyrie ends on "eh", not "ee").
  • Latin N/M: Do not over-nasalize; Latin is voiced