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Views from the Choir Loft

Christmas Season and the New Year

Richard J. Clark · January 2, 2015

HE NEW YEAR appropriately coincides with the Christmas Season that we continue to celebrate. Many don’t fully appreciate that most Church musicians are busier than ever as the Christmas season progresses. It doesn’t end on Christmas Eve. It also makes being with family a challenge all while it is a priority. What we do, we do in service to our own family and to others’.

I’m not one to make resolutions, but I do view the new year with some renewed energy. Most importantly, I hope to have a better perspective in prioritizing my time with family. I’ve said many times, this is a profession that is in fact, unfriendly to families, i.e., working all weekend long, nights, holidays, low pay, etc. Yet we persist through an act of will as much as an act of loving service.

This coming year, I hope to announce a few new projects, publications, and compositions. In addition to following this on “Views from the Choir Loft” you can follow such developments on RJC Cecilia Music. I’ve also recently launched the Facebook page here.

S WE CONTINUE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, here are two meditations, the first, Light Upon the World, based on John 1:9: “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” Although it was never composed for the liturgy, this piece was originally written in 1989 when I was nineteen years old. There have been many different arrangements over the years. This version quotes the Introit for Christmas Day, Puer natus est nobis.


SECONDLY, IF YOU NEED A LAST MINUTE COMMUNION PROPER for Epiphany, here is a free download once again:

      * *  Free Download:
PDF • Vidimus stellam | Communion Antiphon | Epiphany of the Lord | for Schola, SATB, Organ
I had some requests for an audio sample. Here’s a demo I threw together quickly. I used the piano instead of the organ as I’ve been traveling:
      * *  YouTube:  Rehearsal DEMO

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: RJC Cecilia Music 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

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

Bishops have a duty towards both wise and foolish. They have to rouse the devotion of the carnal people with material ornament, since they are incapable of spiritual things.

— St. Bernard of Clairvaux (†1153)

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