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Views from the Choir Loft

Don’t Add Me, Please

Aurelio Porfiri · August 19, 2014

937 John XXIII 23 AM SURE that something similar has happened to you, also. One billion people are on Facebook, and without question it’s an interesting way to connect with people around the world. But there are downsides. Sometimes I receive a notification saying that some unknown person has “added you to the irritable bowel syndrome fans group.” Now, being very emotional, I may be familiar with this syndrome; but I’m not really a fan. And why would someone add me?

But even worse is to consider other scenarios. Sometimes, somebody adds you (without your consent) to a group for those appreciating something in which you don’t have the slightest interest. Then—inside the newsfeed—everyone receiving the news of your new affiliation will think that maybe they didn’t know you so well after all…

But, indeed, things are not so easy in this life. Even liturgically-speaking, we must decide where we wish to stand. It cannot be merely some priest (fresh out of seminary) adding you to the VATICAN II GROUP, implying you accept his version of the Vatican II fancies.

No, we need to decide where we want to be: and indeed the choice is compulsory. We must be with the Church, in the entirety of her history and tradition. We cannot follow the ideas of this or that priest—the pastoral revolution of this or that bishop—if they are saying goodbye to what the church should be about. Of course changes are always necessary, but we cannot live at the rhythm of revolutions. Change should grow organically from what was before, not deny the past for something new at any cost.

If someone tells you “Vatican II wants such-and-such,” ask him where this was said. Don’t be surprised when the answer comes back that it’s the “spirit of the council.” It is true: the Spirit blows where He wants, not where they want. But, they will not listen… and so perhaps it would make sense for you also to join me in the “irritable bowel syndrome” fans group…


BOTTEGA • Aurelio Porfiri is where you can discover
many of Mæstro Porfiri’s compositions in PDF format.

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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    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
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    Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
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