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Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

I forgot to tell them it’s supposed to be hard.

Richard J. Clark · June 9, 2017

DULTS AND children sometimes learn very differently. The brains of children are still developing, and adults often assume many things are too difficult for them to learn, absorb, or even attempt. How wrong we are!

My son has been playing baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. My daughter is left-handed. So one day, while I was throwing batting practice to them, my son wanted to try batting left-handed just like his older sister. It never occurred to him that this would be hard, or that he wouldn’t do well. He just thought it would be fun.

What happened surprised me. Instead of struggling, he hit he ball quite consistently (if not for as much power…) He continued to bat left-handed for the rest of our practice. He had no inhibition to try something potentially uncomfortable, and he had a positive, fun, experience. He’ll probably try it again. I guess I forgot to tell him how hard it is to become a successful switch-hitter.

Furthermore, those who teach languages or music to young school children know better. Certain young ages are ideal times to teach children because they absorb certain things much faster and quite naturally. Start teaching children a new language when they are in high school, and it will be difficult. Start when they are younger, and they will have a far greater chance of mastering the language as they grow.

I live in a town in which the public elementary schools have a French Immersion program. It has become so popular and effective, that they have had to hire more teachers and potentially cap the program.

ERHAPS MY FAVORITE words of wisdom come from my friend, colleague, and sage, Maestro Michael Olbash. A few years ago, he began a children’s choir who sang a great deal of Gregorian Chant. They sang beautifully; his choir blossomed in size. He said, “They don’t know it’s supposed to be hard.”

He must have forgotten to tell the children that Latin and chant are supposed to be too hard for them; they made singing in Latin look easy.

My colleague and friend, Ryan Lynch gave the first-graders in the school where he teaches the choice to sing the Sanctus XVIII in English (ICEL Chant) or in Latin. The seven-year-olds insisted on singing in Latin. Maestro Lynch must have forgotten to tell them Latin and Chant are supposed to be hard, and that children shouldn’t be taught such music in the first place.

My own children recently sang Regina Caeli at Mass both in Latin and then in English. It’s a great “starter piece” for chant. It’s not very ambitious compared to the work of my other colleagues. They learned the meaning of the Latin text quite easily. In fact, we had to spend more time rehearsing it in English. I forgot to tell them, it’s supposed to be hard.

ERE’S A MODEST musical and liturgical resource from the Archdiocese of Boston for First Communion and Confirmation. If you forget to tell the children this is too hard for them, they just might pick it up easily—just as God created them to do!

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 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

These prayers were not peculiar to Good Friday in the early ages (they were said on Spy Wednesday as late as the eighth century); their retention here, it is thought, was inspired by the idea that the Church should pray for all classes of men on the day that Christ died for all. Duchesne is of opinion that the “Oremus” now said in every Mass before the Offertory—which is not a prayer—remains to show where this old series of prayers was once said in all Masses.

— Catholic Encyclopedia (1909)

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