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Views from the Choir Loft

Children’s Choir in a Typical Suburban Parish? Endless Possibilities!

Richard J. Clark · April 29, 2016

N AN ORDINARY suburban parish without exceptional resources, what can be accomplished in teaching children traditional sacred music? “The possibilities are endless,” according to Ryan Lynch, Director of Music and Organist at St. Raphael’s Parish in Medford, Massachusetts.

Lynch, who is also a regular organist and cantor for Catholic TV, revived a dying parish music program, making children’s voices a centerpiece of the liturgical life along with the adult choir. Starting a children’s choir from scratch, Lynch took a simple, but wise approach: form young voices (hearts and minds) through simple traditional hymnody and chant, making their well-formed, singable melodies and rich theology a staple. You can learn more about the music program at St. Raphael’s here.

(He was also a consultant on this hymn project for the Archdiocese of Boston: Music for First Communion and Confirmation—A Catechetical Guide for Liturgical Celebrations)

Teaching Kindergarten through fifth grade in the parish school, he must also shape the musical sound of the children with a sprit of full inclusiveness—another typical aspect of parish life. This isn’t easy, but Ryan Lynch makes it appear that way. He allows especially beautiful voices to shine while creating a unified voice.

Lynch acknowledges that this is a work in progress, one to build upon. Mindful that the children who sing today will be the foundation of our Church in the future. Therefore, enthusiasm and optimism reigns: “The Possibilities are endless.” You can listen to samples and his budding choir here and here.


YAN WAS RECENTLY interviewed on “Sounds from the Spires” on on SIRIUS XM 129 Radio, The Catholic Channel. The show is hosted by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. This interview discusses life in a parish, churches of Rome, and Cardinal DiNardo’s restaurant recommendations in Houston! (for those of you attending AGO or NPM this summer).

• PODCAST • “Sounds form the Spires” broadcast on 4.24.2016:

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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Richard J. Clark

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

4 March 2021 • Can you spare 15 seconds?

Due to Covid-19, California has basically been under “lock down” for 11 months, and these restrictions have had quite a detrimental effect on our choral programs. We are frequently limited to just 2-3 singers, on account of regulations by the government and our Archdiocese. However, although the number of singers is quite small, I was struck by the beauty of the singing last Sunday. Listen to this 15-second live excerpt and see if you agree?

—Jeff Ostrowski
3 March 2021 • “A policeman” — really?

According to Monsignor Frederick R. McManus, there were “policemen” serving the Sanhedrin in the time of Our Blessed Lord. Look at this awful translation in the 1966 “Saint Andrew Bible Missal” from 1966. Yuck!

—Jeff Ostrowski
Surprising Popularity!

One of our most popular downloads has proven to be the organ accompaniment to “The Monastery Hymnal” (131 pages). This book was compiled, arranged, and edited by Achille P. Bragers, who studied at the Lemmensinstituut (Belgium) about thirty years before that school produced the NOH. Bragers might be considered an example of Belgium “Stile Antico” whereas Flor Peeters and Jules Van Nuffel represented Belgium “Prima Pratica.” You can download the hymnal by Bragers at this link.

—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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