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“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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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

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

And since it is becoming that holy things be administered in a holy manner, and of all things this sacrifice is the most holy, the Catholic Church, to the end that it might be worthily and reverently offered and received, instituted many centuries ago the holy canon, which is so free from error that it contains nothing that does not in the highest degree savor of a certain holiness and piety and raise up to God the minds of those who offer.

— Council of Trent (1562)

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  • Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
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