• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
    • Views from the Choir Loft • “Our Team”
    • Our Editorial Policy
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

The Marvels of Choral Singing

Andrew Leung · December 21, 2017

CTL The Marvels of Choral Singing ONG KONG is probably one of the most crowded and busiest cities in the world. To be honest, that is not something that I enjoy so much. However, Hong Kong is also one of the best-known international cities, and many artists like to visit this “Pearl of the Orient”. In the past few months, I have had the privilege to work with world-class musicians like John Rutter, Peter Philips and Paul Phoenix in Hong Kong. I also got to listen to The Sixteen and the Choir of King’s College; and I am very looking forward to see the Choir of St. John’s College next spring. It is wonderful to be able to sing and hear beautiful choral music!

As I give thanks to God for these amazing opportunities, I also ponder on the marvels of choral singing. Listening to these world’s best choirs was a “heavenly” experience; it must be the best human experience one can get on earth! After experiencing the perfect harmonies of choral singing, it would only make sense that human voice be the principle instrument in worship. The human voice is more powerful than any other instruments on earth because it can pray, sing and communicate to God in such a direct and clear manner; it is also the most fragile because one could loss his voice easily due to accidents or bad health. And choral singing requires even more efforts and teamwork. If one person in the group sings flat, losses the rhythm, sing too soon or cut off too late, the mistake will ruin the moment.

As I meditate deeper into the mystery of choral singing, I see an image of the Church in choirs: people, with different voice ranges, tone colors, etc., coming together united through singing. Our voices are all so unique that it can even be used to identify each of us; and yet people can disregard the differences and try to blend with one another, just like people with different talents come together in Christ.

The key to accomplishing the perfect harmonies and blending is by “constant conversion”. We must do self-reflection, then modify and perfect our singing. A good choral singer doesn’t compete with his teammates, but competes with himself. Each time when he sings, he tries to sing better than the last time. It is like the personal sanctification that all followers of Christ are called to do. A good singer also accepts humbly the assistance and guidance from the director and his fellow singers; just as we receive grace and strength from God. Through self-modification and humility, one can advance in choral techniques and produce the “heavenly” music.

In case some of you are curious of the beauty I have experienced, here is an example on Facebook. And of course, there are many more examples and we can all be one of them.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
    Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on Trinity Sunday or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. You can hear live recording from last Sunday by clicking here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To treat harmony and rhythm in this matter was a difficult matter. Facing numerous problems both large and small—that arose constantly—we understood that a flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— ‘Mons. Jules Van Nuffel, NOH Preface’

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Kyrie for the Ordinary Form in Honor of Saint Thomas More”
  • Antiphons Vs. Hymns • A “Both/And” Church
  • What Robert Did to My Graphics
  • “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
  • This Sunday! • Q&A “Developing a Youth Choir Program”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

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.