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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Unchangeable Things

Aurelio Porfiri · September 15, 2014

AM NOW IN PERTH, Australia, for my Doctorate studies. A few days ago, my supervisor brought me to visit a Benedictine monastery, called “New Norcia” in Western Australia. This Monastery (two hours by car from Perth and in the “middle of nowhere”) still survives despite the fact that vocations are dropping down dramatically.

The monastery was founded in the 19th century by Dom Rosendo Salvado, a Spanish priest who, with the blessing of Gregory XVI, tried to create a Christian environment for the aboriginal people living in that area. He wanted to help them to develop in certain areas such as education, and to be able to face the challenges of living in a modern world. The monks structured beautiful schools and infrastructures in the Monastery area, so that everyone—including the monks themselves—could live a meaningful life.

What stood out to me was the attention that Bishop Salvado gave to music: the musical instruments are preserved in the Monastery museum. He knows that a good level of music performance will not only give praise to God when used in the liturgy, but also elevate the people themselves, educating and purifying their souls.

The same phenomenon happened in Macau, China. The missionaries make every effort to create a choir and orchestra, even inviting music professors from Italy, to give instructions to the seminarians, local and foreign. They know that these are unchangeable things: music can change the soul of people, and can show you where beauty is. Then, if you want to look on the other side, it is your choice; but if you change your mind, you always know where to look again.


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 Tagged With: Bishop Rosendo Salvado 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

Indeed I might add that although unfamiliar with it myself, the Extraordinary Form expressly reminds us that Mass in either form is not merely a communion meal but a ritual of love, a sacrifice at Calvary, by which, for you and for me, yes, here and now, Jesus Christ lays down his life.

— ‘Most Rev. Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth’

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