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Views from the Choir Loft

Do not mistake competence for conservatism.

Richard J. Clark · May 15, 2015

OST PEOPLE LIKE categories. Those who market products demand them. Likewise, we place labels upon each other. (I am guilty of this.) Then when we get to know someone or a situation more deeply, we may find they defy easy classification.

Interestingly, the more knowledgeable a musician is about the Roman Rite, the Vatican II documents, and the GIRM, the more likely that musician is to be labeled “conservative” in their views. This is viewed negatively in some circles and positively in others. This is nonsense. It should be viewed simply as professional competence—no more—no less.

Professional competence is precisely this: you know what you are doing and why you are doing it. And church musicians must do several things well all at once. Therefore, it is incumbent upon them to improve their skills in the following areas:

1 • Play, conduct, sing well.

2 • Know the Church Documents; know the liturgy.

3 • Teach and catechize well.

4 • Be an effective administrator.

5 • Be a pastoral leader with good people skills.

Cultivating and effectively integrating all of these areas takes years if not decades. All-around competence is a matter of professionalism, not ideology. Interestingly, while No. 2 is often viewed as “conservative,” No. 5 is viewed in some circles as “liberal” or “progressive.” This too is nonsense. A pastoral approach is one of the most important aspects of being competent. It must be exercised with at least equal weight with all other areas. I.e., If one has studied music and liturgy at a high level, so must one be highly pastoral.

ERHAPS ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE is the vow of obedience taken by priests. I happen to know some priests who dislike the new translation of the Roman Missal—some, quite vehemently. However, one would never know this by attending any masses they celebrate. They are doing what the Church is asking of them and doing it well. This is obedience. This is also professional competence. Their personal view or opinion did not come into play.

Likewise, musicians must temper their own personal tastes. I have musical interests that are well beyond the scope of this blog or the liturgy. As such, the Mass is not a showcase for my personal ideology or interests. Does such an idea make me conservative? Or do considering pastoral needs in my decisions make me liberal? I don’t care, and I am weary of such labels. But I hope this approach make me better at my job. I hope such views lead to prayer.

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

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Ronald Knox explained why the Modernists do not compose hymns: “Birds of prey have no song.”

— Fr. George William Rutler (2016)

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