Views from the Choir Loft

Disney’s “That Darn Cat,” Life Teen Masses, and More

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2013

USIC AND SOUNDS have a strong influence on the way we feel. I’ve never understood the following argument (which I’ve heard with my own ears numerous times while taking part in panel discussions):

All music is equal. We cannot say one music or one style is better than another. We cannot say that a particular style of music is more appropriate for worship. The notion that a certain type of music which developed in Europe over the centuries is “better” for Mass is offensive.

It seems obvious to me that different musical styles have entirely different effects. Listen to the music in this excerpt from Walt Disney’s That Darn Cat (a great movie, by the way!):

Here’s an article about “Life Teen” Masses, which includes many quotes from Dr. William Mahrt of Stanford:

* * 2008 Article on Life Teen Masses [pdf]

I’m not going to comment on the article (it would take forever!) but feel free to do so in the combox if you wish. By the way, many quotes in the article seem to be drawn directly from the Watershed Documentary Sacred, Beautiful, & Universal.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

26 January 2023 • FEEDBACK

“Jeff, I wanted to personally thank you for your spiritual witness at the Symposium & often blogs that you write too. Praying that prayer in the mornings My God, my Father and my all (by Cardinal Merry Del Val), mentioning saints’ stories of Brébeuf, Jogues, John Vianney, monks who fought in WWII, their hard work in spite of terrible conditions, their relentless zeal for the faith, their genuine love for the laypeople they served, etc. Overall though—more than anything concrete I can point to that you did or said—it was your demeanor at the Symposium. I could tell you really absolutely love and believe the Catholic Faith. You don’t get that everywhere, even in Church circles. And your humility is what then makes that shine even brighter. It is super inspiring! God is working through you probably way more than you know.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Symposium Draft Schedule Released!

Those who head over to the Symposium Website will notice the tentative schedule for 2023 has been released. This is all very exciting! Very soon, we will begin accepting applications, so please make sure you have subscribed to our mailing list. If you are subscribed, that means you'll hear announcements before anyone else. (It’s incredibly easy to subscribe to our mailing list; just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.)

—Jeff Ostrowski

Good Friday Polyphony by L. Senfl

The editor of the Sacred Music Magazine recently made available to the public this splendid article by our own Charles Weaver. It includes an edition of polyphony for the GOOD FRIDAY “Reproaches.” Renaissance composers often set the various offices of Holy Week; e.g. readers will probably be familiar with the beautiful TENEBRAE setting by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611). From what I can tell, Ludwig Senfl (d. 1543) was originally a Catholic priest, but eventually was seduced by Luther and ended up abandoning the sacred priesthood.

—Jeff Ostrowski