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Views from the Choir Loft

Saint Paul’s Choir School ~ Top 5 on the Billboard Charts

Richard J. Clark · December 12, 2014

HE SAINT PAUL’S CHOIR SCHOOL, Harvard Square, founded in 1963 by the legendary Theodore Marier, has recently enjoyed a flurry of national publicity surrounding their new CD “Christmas in Harvard Square” on Decca/AimHigher Recordings/UMC. Under the direction of John Robinson and accompanied by organist Dr. Jonathan Wessler, the CD was produced by Grammy Award winner Blanton Alspaugh.

Released in October of this year, it opened on the No. 2 spot on Billboard Magazine’s overall Classical Traditional Chart. During the nine weeks since its release, it has remained in the top 5 on the Classical Traditional Chart. Additionally, it listed last week at No. 4 on the Holiday Albums Chart and No. 10 on the Classical Albums Chart.

* *  Order the CD here: Christmas in Harvard Square • Saint Paul’s Choir School | Harvard Square You can also view the track list and listen to samples. It is also available on iTunes and Amazon.

ECENT NATIONAL TELEVISED APPEARANCES include a Christmas Special on PBS as well as a segment on “Fox and Friends.” During this segment, Music Director John Robinson was asked about the boys’ typical day and rehearsal time. While discussing their extensive rehearsal in addition to demanding academics, Robinson quite notably points out that “…the highlight of our day is always singing the mass that happens at 12:10 in the beautiful acoustics of St. Paul’s Church.” To watch the entire segment click here:

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com      * *  Here is a detailed review of “Christmas in Harvard Square” by Michael Olbash on One Peter Five. Of the many details Mr. Olbash discusses, one comment stands out as it reflects this music the context of faith:

Many choral ensembles include Gregorian chant in concert programs and recording projects as novelty items which tend to sound like precious, fragile museum pieces. In contrast, the two Gregorian introits on this recording — Dominus Dixit and Puer Natus Est — were lively and expressive, the kind of chant singing which can only be achieved when the Gregorian plainsong is part of the living, daily prayer life of a choral ensemble. (emphasis added)

F YOU ARE IN THE BOSTON AREA you can view their concert series and buy tickets online here. Their last concert was sold out, so buy tickets now!

Finally, if you know a talented third or fourth grade boy, you can learn more about “How to Become a Choirboy.” This provides information about admissions, tuition, and opportunities at the Saint Paul’s Choir School. This is an extraordinarily unique Catholic education that may open many unexpected doors. The passion and discipline of music in the context of a faith-filled Catholic education lead to success not only in higher education, but potentially in all matters of life.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: November 27, 2021

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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

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

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“In everything of any importance at all, Sarum (and all other mediæval rites) was simply Roman, the rite which we still use.”

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