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Views from the Choir Loft

Marian Meditations on RJC Cecilia Music

Richard J. Clark · December 5, 2014

HEN I WAS YOUNG I never viewed the Blessed Virgin Mary as a great source of inspiration for composition. How wrong I was. Mary has been an enormous artistic inspiration to me. Aside from the fact that the rosary was a big part my life growing up, I believe it was Mary’s “Yes!” to God that is the overwhelming inspiration. I have no words to express this gift of “Yes!” to us all. Let music express this joy instead.

Some of these have been featured (even more than once) on this blog, but I leave offer it here for meditation and perhaps inspiration:

Ave Maria, Performed around the world by the American Boychoir – score available for digital download with RJC Cecilia Music

* *  1 • YouTube:  Ave Maria | SSAT | The American Boychoir, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Director

* *  2 • YouTube:  Ave Maria | TTBB | Schola Cantorum Sanctorum Angelorum, Andrew Leung, Director

Gaudens Gaudebo – I Will Greatly Rejoice!, performed by organist, Rosalind Mohnsen at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C. Based on the Introit for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, this work also includes several Marian themes quoted throughout.

Score available for digital download with RJC Cecilia Music


Finally, another setting of Ave Maria from a larger nine movement work, called “Woman.” This movement was performed by the Seraphim Singers.

Score available for digital download with RJC Cecilia Music

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    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?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“You have thereby removed from the celebration of the Mass all superstitions, all greed for lucre, and all irreverence … removed its celebrations from private homes and profane places to holy and consecrated sanctuaries. You have banished from the temple of the Lord the more effeminate singing and musical compositions.”

— ‘Bishop Racozonus, speaking at the last session of the Council of Trent (1563)’

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