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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

Podcast on Sacred Music

Fr. David Friel · May 14, 2017

Y FIRST FORAY into the world of podcasts came a couple of weeks ago when I agreed to be interviewed by some seminarians who are involved in the blog of my alma mater, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook. Their blog, entitled Seminarian Casual, features articles on a variety of topics written by a mix of seminarians and priests.

For the interview, I was led to a room that used to be a “phone room” when I was a seminarian (an anachronism, to say the least). The space has now been admirably transformed into a makeshift studio, complete with microphones, mixers, and acoustical foam on the walls and ceiling.

The topic of my interview was sacred music, so I am providing a link to it here for the benefit of our readers:

    * *  PODCAST • Sacred Music Today


The podcast is 30 minutes long, and some of the more specific topics of discussion include: the distinction between sacred, religious, and secular music; the ideal qualities of a music director; the differences between chant and polyphony; the proper role of hymnody in Catholic worship.

If listening to the podcast prompts any questions or thoughts, please feel free to comment!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Gregorian Chant, Hymns Replacing Propers Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
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

Random Quote

“Ways to receive Our Lord as King of the Universe…read and reflect on the Sunday Scriptures, plan your whole weekend around receiving your King, wear your best garments, spend time in quiet, kneel to receive Him, receive Him on the tongue, offer silent time of thanks after mass.”

— Most Rev. Bishop Strickland (15 December)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.