Few composers have shaped the sound of Catholic worship in the United States as profoundly as Richard Proulx. Composer, conductor, organist, and master of the liturgical tradition, Proulx brought together musical craftsmanship, theological sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the assembly’s voice.
His catalog spans everything from beloved congregational music to richly crafted choral works, and his influence continues to be heard in churches across the country. For those discovering his music—or returning to it anew—these five essential works offer a compelling introduction to the breadth, beauty, and enduring legacy of Richard Proulx.
Jesu, the Very Thought of Thee
Long before Richard Proulx became one of the most influential voices in American Catholic liturgical music, he composed this quietly radiant setting of the beloved hymn Jesu, the Very Thought of Thee. Dating from 1959—when Proulx was just 22 years old—the work already reveals the musical instincts that would characterize his remarkable career: sensitivity to text, graceful vocal writing, and a deep understanding of music as prayer.
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
For SAB a cappella voices this fervent setting of Kathleen Thomerson’s classic text and tune reflects Proulx’s mastery of blending vocal lines and creating rich harmonic textures.
O Lord, Support Us
With O Lord, Support Us, Richard Proulx transforms a simple prayer for God’s sustaining presence into music of remarkable warmth and serenity. His sensitive treatment of the text allows each phrase to unfold with quiet dignity, creating an atmosphere that is at once intimate, reverent, and deeply consoling.
Anthem for Pentecost
In Anthem for Pentecost, Richard Proulx captures the energy and expectancy of the Church’s prayer for the Holy Spirit. Vivid choral writing gives musical expression to the mystery of Pentecost—wind and flame, proclamation and renewal—while retaining the clarity and liturgical purpose that distinguish so much of Proulx’s music.
Angels We Have Heard on High
Proulx brings his characteristic brilliance and liturgical imagination to the beloved Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard on High. His arrangement preserves the familiar joy of the tune while enriching it with vibrant choral textures, rhythmic vitality, and a festive sense of proclamation.
