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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Summer Sacred Music Workshop — Report

Andrew Leung · August 18, 2015

CTL Workshop Report AST SATURDAY, I was presenting at the Summer Sacred Music Workshop in Jasper, Georgia. It was the first time I have ever present at a workshop and it was a very positive experience for me. I was blessed to be able to work with some wonderful faculty members: Fr. David Carter, Fr. Charles Byrd, Bridget Scott, Jonathan Eason, Maria Rist and Noel Jones. Many of our participants described the experience as joyful and peaceful. The turnout was really good, about 130 participants from 6 different states gathered at Our Lady of the Mountains Roman Catholic Church. I was very happy to see brothers and sisters from the Episcopal Church, Methodist Church and Presbyterian Church participating in the workshop.

Participants were introduced to the Ward’s Method during the workshop. They were split into 3 Chant Scholae and 2 Polyphony Choirs, where musical instructions were given. These groups also sang the Novus Ordo closing Mass. A keynote was delivered by Fr. David Carter, JCL, pastor and rector of the Basilica Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His talk was entitled “Re-discovery of the Church’s Sacred Tradition: II Kings 22”. He has given us permission to share his talk in written format:

    * *  PDF • RE-DISCOVERY OF THE CHURCH’S SACRED TRADITION: II KINGS 22

In his talk, Fr. Carter compared his experience of discovering Sacred Music to King Josiah’s story. Through telling his story, he explained the theology of Sacred Music and the Church’s teachings on Liturgical Music. He also gave some practical suggestions on how to improve parish music programs towards the end of his talk. If you are interested in these suggestions, you can find them from page 12 onward in the PDF file. These suggestions are very helpful and I strongly recommend you to read them.

It is very touching to see so many people thirsting for true Sacred Music, the treasure of the Church. The Church is slowly rediscovering her Tradition. I pray that this workshop will bear much fruit.

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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 Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(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

Let us ponder the incontrovertible fact that Eucharistic Adoration in the Ordinary Form (“Novus Ordo”) is always and everywhere celebrated “ad orientem.” Why, then, is there such opposition to Mass being celebrated in that way, which is actually stipulated by the 1970 Missal rubrics?

— A Benedictine Monk (2013)

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