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Views from the Choir Loft

The Greatest in the Kingdom

Richard J. Clark · March 14, 2014

MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE and I were blessed with a new arrival in the family this past week with our son, Sean Paul. His older siblings have been waiting to meet him with great anticipation. Watching their pure joy over having a little brother is like a foretaste of heaven for me. I’m not sure I deserve such blessings in life, but it is appropriate that I give great thanks to God every moment I breathe.

I am mindful of this because many struggle raising children through chronic illness, disability, or other challenges. Others have suffered unimaginable loss of an innocent child through illness or tragedy. Having family and close friends who know such suffering first hand, I am humbled by the awesome power of God and his gift of redemption through suffering. As such, children grant us enormous perspective in life. They remind us constantly of not only what is important, but who is most important — namely, God and family. Children return us to our core.

Y CHILDREN HAVE ALSO BEEN a great source of musical inspiration. They each have their own special songs that I sing to them at bedtime every night. Some have been adapted into liturgical or concert works. All are different in approach, reflecting their uniqueness.

For Sean Paul, I have recently completed a new mass setting dedicated to him. Look for this new mass setting to be released on Sunday, April 27th! It is chant inspired in style composed for SATB Choir and Organ using the 2010 Translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition.

FOR OUR FIRST CHILD, our daughter, I composed a hymn based on the story found in both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospel about the disciples arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus then shows them a little child:

Matthew 18: 1-5: At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”

• Here is the choral score and live recording (2007) performed by Youth Pro Musica and the St. Cecilia Choir, Boston, with Peter Krasinski, organ.

FOR MY OLDEST SON, I composed a piece featuring my wife on clarinet. This is a live recording of the premiere at St. Paul Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, home of Saint Paul’s Choir School Harvard Square.

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —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

“A flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (circa 1940)

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