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Views from the Choir Loft

Basic Steps To Improve Music At Your Parish — Part 7

Aurelio Porfiri · July 22, 2014

0319_cecilia-LG HAT WOULD BE REALLY necessary to build a good music program in a parish today? It is a secret, which in fact, is not so secret. Is it having a choir of 40 able to sing musical scales up and down? Maybe, but not essential. Indeed, in the case of the most disadvantaged parishes, even one good cantor can lead the congregation when there are not many forces available. So then, we need a fantastic organ with four manuals, and organists able to play fugues full of complexities? That would be nice, especially if one has a decent and well tuned instrument that can support good singing and can fill the moment where organ music is appropriate. But, also in this case not essential.

So what is the secret? Something smaller than an organ? Luxurious folders? Lavish choir cassocks? Gorgeous music stands? No, despite maybe all these things being important, they are not in the end essential. I said at the beginning that the secret of a good musical program in every parish is not so secret. I believe it is something quite simple that can be summarized in two words: good will. Yes, you just need good will, because even with the most simple elements you can have a dignified musical program if good will is there.

Good will in what way? Good will in following the Church teachings in accord with Church tradition. Good will in training the congregation in learning songs that are appropriate to the liturgy and not appropriate to the fancies of the pro-youth pastor (we may be against a corrupt idea of youthfulness). Good will to follow the liturgical year in all its richness. Good will to support the musicians so that their training may be more and more professional to meet the needs of the congregation in a more qualified manner. It is not money, power, fights…it is just and only good will. If there really is good will, there will be change in the unchangeable. Every parish will become a model in its own way, and the liturgical reform, in its essence and demands, will be happily fulfilled.


7-part series:   “Basic Steps To Improve Music At Your Parish”

FIRST PART • Andrew Motyka

SECOND PART • Peter Kwasniewski

THIRD PART • Richard Clark

FOURTH PART • Veronica Brandt

FIFTH PART • Fr. David Friel

SIXTH PART • Jeff Ostrowski

SEVENTH PART • Aurelio Porfiri

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 Aurelio Porfiri

Renowned as composer, conductor, theorist, author, pedagogue, and organist, Aurelio Porfiri has served the Church on multiple continents at the highest levels. Born and raised in Italy, he currently serves as Director of Choral Activities and Composer in Residence for Santa Rosa de Lima School (Macao, China).

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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

To the extent that the new sacred music is to serve the liturgical celebrations of the various churches, it can and must draw from earlier forms — especially from Gregorian chant — a higher inspiration, a uniquely sacred quality, a genuine sense of what is religious.

— Pope John Paul II (June 1980)

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