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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Reviving a Music Program & Ryan Lynch on “Sounds from the Spires”

Richard J. Clark · January 16, 2015

UMPSTARTING A NEW CHOIR is always a challenge. Very often, a new director walks into a situation where there is a small program in need of bolstering. This may also involve igniting new programs. Doing so in a parish setting – “in the trenches” – is also very challenging. But it’s a challenge everywhere!

A glimpse into such a parish is St. Raphael’s Parish in Medford, Massachusetts where Ryan Lynch took over as Director of Music and Organist a little more than a year ago. Having no adult choir whatsoever, he also revitalized a small youth choir which now includes thirty-five children. Like many music directors, he is now teaching in the parish school, working with children from kindergarten through fifth grade. (Ryan Lynch is also very frequently heard for the Archdiocese of Boston’s televised masses on Boston Channel 7, WHDH.)

T TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OLD, Mr. Lynch is certainly part of a new generation of musicians advocating for chant and traditional music of the Church. In doing so, the choirs at St. Raphael’s Parish have grown solidly with very capable and young volunteers.

When starting a new choir from scratch, Mr. Lynch has been wise in selecting repertoire that is simple, but substantial. He has relied a great deal on Richard Rice’s Simple Choral Gradual, the Chabanel Psalms, and Andrew Motyka’s Laudate Dominum Communion Antiphons. He is also slowly introducing the simple, yet essential Gregorian Chants of the Church. An indispensable resource for this is Richard Rice’s Parish Book of Chant.

Conventional wisdom assumes that popular styles of music will attract larger congregations and choirs. However, one cannot argue with the results at St. Raphael’s Parish, especially given greatly improved congregational singing, a revived adult choir, and the large numbers in his youth choir. While exceedingly versatile in handling different musical styles, his approach in laying a foundation of traditional sacred music of the Church has yielded much fruit in a short time. (Interestingly, this is often achieved with contemporary chant and choral based compositions.) This path takes courage and support from the pastor. Fr. Kevin Toomey, clearly has his trust in Ryan’s approach.

One final ingredient to infusing life into new programs one that Ryan has in abundance: interpersonal skills. Despite his youth, he demands respect by giving it. His singers of all ages love singing with him. In short, he is another parish musician who views his life’s work as service to the Church. Good-hearted and talented people respond quite positively to this philosophy. They want to take part in this service to God and others.

ECENTLY, RYAN LYNCH had a guest appearance on “Sounds from the Spires” on on SIRIUS XM 129 Radio, The Catholic Channel. The show is hosted by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. This interview gives a bit of a glimpse for non-musicians of the daily life and challenges of a parish church musician. This was especially fitting after a busy Christmas Season!

• PODCAST • Here are some excerpts from “Sounds form the Spires” broadcast on 1.10.2015:

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Catholic Youth Choirs 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
    Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 19 October 2025, which is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“This chapter hereby extends the prohibition of 13 June 1561 against loaning singers or instrumentalists on any account whatsoever to include even the humblest choirboy.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (10 June 1562)

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