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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

CMAA Colloquium and Hoosier Hospitality

Andrew R. Motyka · July 9, 2014

ANY THINGS have been said about this past week in Indianapolis. We have seen pictures of the beautiful liturgies, we have listened to descriptions of edifying lectures, and of course, we have heard the transcendent music that resounded throughout the church. What cannot be shown in pictures or heard in recordings, however, are the connections that are made with fellow musicians dedicated to reverence in the sacred liturgy.

It is far too easy for musicians to be isolated in our own parishes, not connecting with our peers or broadening our knowledge and experience. I know that unless I force myself to attend events like the CMAA Colloquium or other events with fellow musicians, I run the risk of subjecting the local liturgy to my own limited ideas and intelligence.

Since this year’s Colloquium was in Indianapolis, it was easy for me to make the decision to attend. Because this is my home turf, it was a much more relaxed environment for me to socialize and communicate with my fellow attendees. I normally have a hard time in crowds of strangers, especially in groups like this that are filled with people that are much smarter than me. I was fortunate enough to give a presentation on Friday, which I hope to use as fodder for several posts in the future. The presentation was about the gradual implementation of the propers in the average parish, and one subject I focused on was making connections with the people in your parish. People should always be valued more than systems, and so it was with this gathering. Instead of interacting with forum avatars or Facebook messages, I could meet with people face to face and have real conversations.

The greatest connection for me, however, was actually singing with these people. I was in the polyphonic choir that sang Victoria’s Requiem a 4 on Saturday afternoon, a gorgeous piece of music by one of my favorite composers. For one thing, it is joy to sing in a choir which I am not directing. I don’t get to do that often, so I took in every moment of it. Furthermore, singing alongside someone creates a bond even between strangers. Sharing that kind of beauty was worth the entire week, in my opinion.

At the closing Mass, Archbishop Tobin mentioned the idea of “Hoosier Hospitality,” something my fellow Indiana residents take pride in. I can’t take credit for any of that; I am a born and raised Masshole. I do, however, understand what it is like to be taken in by this wonderful city and made to feel welcome in a place far from home. I have experienced that fabled hospitality since I arrived 2 years ago. I hope my fellow musicians felt the same this week, and were as edified and energized by the experience to get back to it in their own parishes.

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

[Speaking about the Silent Canon, with audible “per ómnia”] — “So in all such cases it is usual for the otherwise silent celebrant occasionally to sing a clause aloud, to show how far he has arrived.”

— Father Fortescue (pages 313-314) • “A Study of the Roman Liturgy”

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