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Views from the Choir Loft

Brave Schola Director Posts “Live” Recording

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2015

267 Father Fryar T IS ALWAYS difficult to post “live” recordings from Mass. In today’s age, we’re accustomed to flawless recordings by professional singers, captured and mastered with great precision. I used to be afraid of showing others how our choir sounds—because criticism on the internet can be very harsh—but I’ve come to realize that people who criticize the loudest usually have never directed a choir in real life.

The FSSP has begun a parish here in Los Angeles. Our choir began singing in Advent, and I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made. Last Sunday, I stuck a recording device in my pocket, and below you can hear two excerpts. This was the first time we’ve sung the Palestrina polyphony. I’m convinced it will sound better and better as time goes on. Fr. Valentine used to say, “You can play a hundred notes correctly, but if you hit one wrong note, people will focus on that.” So, please be forgiving as you listen to these “live” excerpts:

      * *  Palestrina Vexilla Regis • Chant followed by Polyphony

      * *  Kyrie XVII • Gregorian Chant

When I was young, I asked Fr. Peter Gee, FSSP, whether we could play an audio CD during Mass. He replied, “No, because the Mass is something living.” Those recordings—though imperfect—are living prayer.

BY THE WAY, one of our parishioners sent me an recent article in Regina Magazine which talks about the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles:

271 A 271 B 271 C 271 D 271 E 271 F 271 G


Images courtesy of Regina Magazine.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: FSSP Los Angeles New Parish Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —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

Random Quote

“The plea that the laity as a body do not want liturgical change, whether in rite or in language, is, I submit, quite beside the point. … (it is) not a question of what people want; it is a question of what is good for them.”

— Dom Gregory A. Murray (14 March 1964)

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