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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

    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

On 12 March 1908, Feast of St. Gregory the Great, the complete publication of the “Graduale” was issued by the Vatican Press. That very day, Dom Pothier solemnly presented the first copy to the Holy Father. Pius X wished to be the first to see the new book; he opened it at random, at page 128 of the supplement “pro aliquibus locis”—the Introit of the new Feast of Our lady of Lourdes. The Pope sang it with perfect taste to the last note.

— A witness of the papal audience writing circa 1915

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.