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Views from the Choir Loft

Something That Would Fix So Much … But Nobody Mentions It

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2016

750 Queen of Hearts HEN I WAS GROWING UP, my brothers and I hated the villains in television shows, especially the annoying ones. But now I realize that people watching the shows are supposed to hate the villains; that’s why they say “the villain you love to hate.” I suspect this is why the topic of Watergate—a subject I know a lot about—endlessly fascinates historians, who continue producing documentaries about it. After all, Nixon was such a captivating villain! He was passionate, complicated, sneaky, intelligent, and had severe emotional issues. 1

When it comes to Church music, addressing one liturgical abuse would fix a whole bunch of problems instantly—but this abuse is not being promoted by a “bad guy” like Richard Nixon. The villain is…SILENCE.

That’s right: silence. Nobody cares. Nobody will listen. Nobody will lift a finger.

EVER SINCE VATICAN II, CHURCH LAW has required approval from the local bishop to replace the Mass texts—but this requirement has been ignored. Indeed, the Bishops’ Liturgy Committee confirmed on 20 November 2012 that we are not obligated to follow the GIRM. To get around this, they said each local bishop gives his “tacit approval” to texts he’s never seen. To make matters worse, the USCCB “approval” on the front page of some hymnals doesn’t apply to any of the music! But the answer is silence. Nobody cares. As a result, 90% of Church musicians are not taught what Church law requires.

Try sending the following letter to your bishop’s office. You won’t receive a response:

    * *  PDF Download • Sample Letter to your Ordinary

Many liturgical blogs claim they wish to improve the sacred liturgy. Yet, the crucial issue—this purported “tacit approval” which has been abused by 90% of parishes for 40+ years—is never mentioned. Here at Watershed, we will continue doing what we can (in our own small way) to promote authentic Church music. But it’s strange how few seem willing to talk about this most serious liturgical abuse.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   The documentaries often show “good guys” denigrating Nixon, but neglect to mention that many of these men have been caught playing fast and loose with truth. After all, why complicate things? It’s easier to simply make Nixon the “bad guy” and the ones against him the “good guys.” Please note: I’m not excusing Nixon’s deplorable behavior. I’m merely pointing out that many of his enemies were pretty unsavory human beings, too.

Here’s something you might not know. The whole point of Watergate was proving that “nobody, no matter how high up in government, is above the law.” However, at least one highly placed man never got punished for his crimes. You see, the famous source that gave information to Bob Woodward about Watergate was referred to as “Deep Throat”—and people sought his true identity until 2005. It turns out “Deep Throat” was Mark Felt, of the FBI. The reason he waited so many years to reveal his identity was that his actions were highly illegal. Moreover, “spilling” information about cases to the press was against the FBI code of conduct, considered by his colleagues to be extremely dishonorable. Mark Felt went on trial later on for other crimes he committed—having nothing to do with Watergate—but Ronald Reagan pardoned him.

Someone amazingly came to Mark Felt’s defense, giving money to his legal defense fund and even testifying on his behalf in court. That man was Richard Milhous Nixon.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hilgartner 20 November 2012, Hymns Replacing Propers, Traditionis Custodes Vernacular, USCCB approval Last Updated: October 15, 2022

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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.”
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Random Quote

“…it would be a very praiseworthy thing and the correction would be so easy to make that one could accommodate the chant by gradual changes; and through this it would not lose its original form, since it is only through the binding together of many notes put under short syllables that they become long without any good purpose when it would be sufficient to give one note only.”

— Zarlino (1558) anticipating the Medicæa

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