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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

Musician • Center of Attention or Servant?

Richard J. Clark · April 22, 2016

OHN 13:16-17: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.”

Regardless of specialty, the vast majority of musicians find themselves in the role of service. Consider any educator. Those who teach music live an unglamorous life. Whether teaching at a prestigious conservatory, or a Kodály movement class for four-to six-year olds, teaching is the very definition of service. The teacher is not the center of attention. Those who embrace and relish this role are the teachers who change the world.

CULTURAL PROBLEM that pervades the Roman Catholic Church is the secular view of musician as a focus of attention. This view persists quite often in both congregations and among musicians. This is the root of countless liturgical (and professional) problems, most importantly the misunderstanding of the role of sacred music, which is to uplift souls by pointing to God. (Tra le Sollecitudini [“Instruction on Sacred Music”] §1. “…the glory of God and the sanctification, the edification of the faithful.”)

Applause from a congregation for musicians, or musicians that impede congregational singing for the sake of personal artistry, are but symptoms. The church musician has been misidentified as a separate entity—a showpiece—and not properly identified as a servant of the liturgy, a servant of God, a servant of the people. As servant, the church musician must inspire, yet be invisible to the greatest extent possible. This requires large doses of skill and humility.

HERE ARE MANY extraordinary artists who deserve much recognition for their work. Interestingly, the greatest artists also seem to be the most humble. They deflect credit to talented people around them that contribute to their work. More importantly, they seek to point to something larger than themselves: a message, beauty, hope, aspiration, inspiration, and in the case of a church musician, divine transcendence.

The greatest of artists also tend to be more secure within themselves and have no need for attention to affirm their self worth. They prefer to allow their art speak for itself. If worthy, it will change the world.

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.” — John 15:16

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Servant Leader 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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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
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We being many are one bread and one body, All who share the one bread and one cup. Vs. Thou hast prepared of thy sweetness for the poor, O God, who makest us to dwell in one mind in thy house. All who share the one bread and one cup.”

— Responsory (Matins for Corpus Christi) transl. by Fortescue

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