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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2014

514 hap E HARDLY EVER engage in “navel-gazing” on this blog, mainly because there’s so much work to be done!

But there’s another reason. Sometimes there’s too much to say. And because there is too much to say, sometimes we don’t say anything.

For example, if I were to list all the people who inspire me, none of you would read it, because it would be so long. I’d probably start with my wife, children, parents, brother in the seminary … well, you get the idea!

BUT TODAY I WANTED TO SAY how much inspiration I draw from … you!

Each week, we receive so many letters from all over the world. So many generous, holy people trying to make sure the Liturgy is how God wants it. It truly is humbling to read of the sacrifices some of you make. Thank you for your service to the Holy Catholic Church!

I wanted to quote a song, but I can’t remember the lyrics. 1 I’m so irritated that I’ve forgotten it. Basically, the song was about a man who regrets not telling a family member how much he loved him (her?), but it’s too late because that person is dead. Oh, well. I’m sure I’ll remember some day.

Since I cannot remember that song, I’ll share another one, quite moving, IMHO:

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
‘Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven.

I believe that song was written to a child who died: how terrible is that? How painful is that? Wow.

Friends, I understand fully the difficulties that stand in the way of a Church musician in the year 2014. As my mentor always said, “The life of a Church musician is a life of sacrifice.” Sometimes the difficulties seem insurmountable. At Watershed, we try to assist your work, but only God can ultimately fix everything.

I believe that holy and reverent liturgies are making a comeback. This is because people are looking for what is BEST and HOLIEST, not simply what’s “allowed.” An ever-present danger is the particular sensibility of musicians. Musicians tend to fight with one another over the DUMBEST things. I once knew a musician who stormed out after Mass because the tempo of a hymn was “wrong” in his view. I’ve written about this before:

      * *  More unites us than divides us!



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   I have pretty much every song written in the 1970s and 1980s memorized, because my father listened to those songs.

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 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).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Our Christian people regard with great joy everything that contributes to the splendor of the ceremonies. Jesus—who was poor in His private life—received ointment on His feet. See Thomas Aquinas (Prima Secundae, q. 102, art. 5, ad 10) and the holy Curé of Ars. The Church has always loved beautiful churches, and so forth. We must preserve our sacred patrimony and make sure sacred objects do not become secular possessions.”

— Abbot & Council Father denouncing “noble simplicity” during Vatican II

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