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Views from the Choir Loft

Be Good to Your Choir

Andrew R. Motyka · April 16, 2014

ERE IN INDIANAPOLIS, we celebrate our diocesan Chrism Mass on the Tuesday of Holy Week. This works better for most of the parishes in the archdiocese since many of them have to travel several hours to get to the cathedral (Indianapolis is actually the northernmost part of the archdiocese). After this afternoon’s Chrism Mass, I thanked our Archdiocesan Choir, and apologized for being a bit over-ambitious this year with my music selection. They performed admirably, so I’m not sure I learned my lesson.

In these final days of Lent, as we head into our final rehearsals and take a breath for the big plunge that is the Sacred Triduum, remember to thank your choirs. You have put in countless hours of preparation, practice, and some other P word that I can’t think of because I’m so tired. However, I get paid to do this. It’s exhausting, and edifying, and frustrating, and wonderful, but in the end, it’s my job.

Your choir, on the other hand, does this because they volunteer. They spend hours in rehearsal after a full day of work that isn’t music-related. Remember to acknowledge their commitment and sacrifice for the Church’s liturgy. People that haven’t gone through this many rehearsals can’t understand exactly how much effort goes into making liturgy beautiful. Your choir does this because they love Jesus and they love music. Give them at least a bit of feedback to let them know that you, at least, appreciate what they do.

A bit of Easter candy won’t hurt, either.

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

    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

“I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed—with no good reason—Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”

— ‘Fr. Bouyer, Consilium member appointed by Pope Paul VI’

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