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Views from the Choir Loft

Choirmaster’s Life: “A Life of Sacrifice”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2016

779 Sperabo HE LIFE of a choirmaster is a life of sacrifice. Indeed, directing a choir is one of the most difficult jobs—and our readers hardly require an explanation from me, since many share this vocation! However, if we look deeper, we realize this is actually a good thing.

For example, it was necessary for me to work very hard to put myself through college. I had earned scholarships, but there were additional requirements for those who received them. Looking back, I’m so glad I applied myself to the fullest—but would I have done so if it weren’t required?

Those of us with small children know how difficult this can be. The fact that I have been suffering due to a serious illness (in spite of many expensive medical procedures) makes things even harder. Sometimes my wife and I get so overwhelmed we just stare at each other: “Is this really happening right now?” Yet, God always has a plan. He knows these trials will bring us closer to Him, so we can be with Him in Heaven one day. Let’s be honest—would anyone choose the difficulties associated with raising children if they were given another option?

Due to human nature, I believe most of us wouldn’t reach our potential unless we have to. 1

AS A CHOIRMASTER, nothing would be easier than having twenty paid professional singers present each week. I’ve done that in the past, and it’s really awesome. On the other hand, working with volunteers is quite challenging. You must work very hard—or they stop coming. You must introduce new music—or they stop coming. You must not overwhelm them—or they stop coming. You must accept their quirks—or they stop coming. You must make sure the level of performance is acceptable and doesn’t sound horrible—or they stop coming. You must be flexible, adjusting to their needs as they are revealed to you—or they stop coming. You must be energetic and happy, bursting with energy and knowledge and excitement—or they stop coming.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

These challenges force us to become better at what we do. As I mentioned earlier, most of us would not push ourselves—unless we have to. Most importantly of all, these efforts please God.

And when the choir sings well, it’s all worth it. And when you see the transformation in people who have learned so much from your directing, it’s totally worth it!



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   If you examine the great composers, you will notice that—almost without exception—they wrote their best works out of necessity. They often had an urgent purpose: compose this piece, or you don’t eat! We hardly ever find composers “going off into a corner” and composing a piece without an immediate purpose in mind. Performers are the same way. When Horowitz had very little money, he reached the zenith of his career. After he became extremely famous and rich, his playing suffered tremendously. (The drugs didn’t help matters, either!) Horowitz could sit in his pajamas all day if he desired—and often did—and this was his undoing.

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 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

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
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski
Sound Familiar?

1 June 1579: “The chapter passes a rule that anyone ascending to the new organ without official permission shall be fined a month’s pay.”

26 October 1579: “The altar boys remain always separate and distinct from choirboys—the one group learning only plainchant and assisting at the altar, the other living with the chapel-master and studying counterpoint and polyphony as well. Father Francisco Guerrero postpones his departure for Rome and instead spends the entire year in Seville making ready for the trip. In the meantime he neglects his choirboys. On 16 November, after considerable complaint against their unruliness and ignorance, he engages an assistant, Bartolomé Farfán.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I am of the opinion, to be sure, that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It’s impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it suddenly declares that what until now was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger, 1997

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