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Views from the Choir Loft

Making time

Veronica Brandt · August 31, 2013

Nap attack Nap Attack, drawn by Peter Brandt T LAST THE HOUSE IS QUIET. There are a few hours at the end of a Saturday to write a post for the beginning of the same Saturday half way across the world. I wish there were more occasions I could leave things 10 hours too late and still get them in on time!

But apart from living on the other side of the date line, how do we make time for all the good things there are to do? There are obvious things, like avoiding time-eaters: television and facebook spring to mind. Prioritizing tasks. Just doing what needs to be done and skipping over as much of the rest as you can safely get away with.

But sometimes it helps to do more. I mean more than the bare-bone necessities. Being generous can make it easier to meet the tasks.

Viktor Frankl finds that happiness does not depend on having what you want, but finding meaning in your situation. He talks about cases where a crippling accident can make people happier in the long run, not that you need suffering to be happy, but that comfort alone does not produce happiness. When we drop our quest to be comfortable, then the adventure begins.

The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness. — Pope Benedict XVI.

I have two choirs each singing Mass once a month at different parishes. One likes psalm tones, Paul IV’s Jubilate Deo booklet and having music in a folder in the order it is sung. The other sings from the Liber Usualis, plus polyphony when possible and likes to try different Mass settings. There is a big difference in ability between the two, I grant you that, but also a big difference in how easy it is to put in the preparation for each one. And you can guess which one my sons like to join in with.

And hopefully now I’ll go snooze like that tiger cub while the other half of the world awakes.

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 Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

There is a lack of that kind of organization which favors mature judgment. Move on, move on, get it out. Schemata are multiplied without ever arriving at a considered form. The system of discussion is bad … Often the schemata arrive just before the discussions. Sometimes, and in important matters, such as the new anaphoras, the schema was distributed the evening before the discussion was to take place … Father Bugnini has only one interest: press ahead and finish.

— Cardinal Antonelli (Peritus during the Second Vatican Council)

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