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Views from the Choir Loft

From the NPM Convention in Washington, DC

Andrew R. Motyka · July 31, 2013

HIS WEEK, I’m blogging from the NPM Convention in Washington, DC. This is the first convention I’ve attended since 2007.

In the liturgical-music circles I typically frequent, NPM (the National Association of Pastoral Musicians) is seen as something of a lost cause. I’ll admit that as recently as a few years ago, I thought so, too. My experience at the national convention went something like this:

Listen to the opening address, which is guaranteed to be a misunderstood and tedious hammering of the principle of “active participation.” Attend a few breakouts, where I either learn a little bit, disagree with the presenter entirely, or patiently wait until they stop hocking their own products. Skip the industry showcases, because 19 out of 20 free pieces they hand you will never be of use (go anyway, and take the free music. They want to give it to you. Then just leave). Get frustrated.

That, at least was my previous experience. Maybe I’ve grown up, or maybe something has changed. Maybe a little of both. To be sure, this convention is still loaded with sponsorship from the publishers, and everyone is still trying to sell you something. However, there is a different feel. People are starting to become aware of the propers. In my opinion, the new translation of the Missal has caused people to take a closer look at the actual texts of the Mass, and try their best to incorporate it.

There is still a long way to go. There is much resistance and the status quo is still the status quo. But something is different. There is movement, and I think it has to happen from within the organization instead of taking shots from without. People are willing to learn, and they are starting to discover exactly what we’ve lost over the course of 50 years. That’s been my experience from my conversations this year.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

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14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor, and to do all We can to promote its study and use. The employment of Latin has recently been contested in many quarters, and many are asking what the mind of the Apostolic See is in this matter. We have therefore decided to issue the timely directives contained in this document, so as to ensure that the ancient and uninterrupted use of Latin be maintained and, where necessary, restored.”

— Pope John XXIII (22 February 1962)

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