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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

Don’ts for Choirmasters (Part 2)

Andrew Leung · January 11, 2018

CTL Don'ts for Choirmasters 2 AST WEEK, I shared about John Newton’s Don’ts for Choirmasters in my post, and this post is the continuation of “Part 1”. I was told that if you order the book on Amazon, they will only ship within the UK. So, if you are interested in ordering the book and are living outside of the UK, you can place your order with the publisher directly.

In “Part 1” of my post, I shared about Newton’s view and appreciation for Gregorian chant. He encourages choirmasters not to neglect singing plainchant and he states that plainchant is an important field of study. Today, I would like to share some of his very practical advice on choral singing. I found these advice very helpful, especially in laying down a good and strong foundation for a choir.

11. DON’T neglect the starts…All four parts should begin together—precision of attack is very important. Listen to, and learn a lesson from good string quartet playing.

32. DON’T fail to attend to the breathing points; “phrasing” is of vital importance; sometimes it is necessary to mark the points where breath should be taken…

33. DON’T neglect Unisonal singing. Impress upon your choirmen that singing in unison is not mere child’s play. It is a difficult task to get thirty or forty voices to sing a melody exactly in tune, to blend, and to keep together…

34. DON’T let Descant and Faburden remain unexplored any longer. Both of these embroideries make delightful exercises and are electrical reliefs in a long hymn, but a word of caution—do not serve them up too often; their occasional use is very desirable.

40. DON’T neglect antiphonal singing…

55.DON’T rehearse music on Sunday morning for use at a later service. It is scarcely fair to the boys and it is probably too late to have any effect…

These are some of Newton’s very practical advice. Mastering these basic choral techniques is what distinguishes a “great choir” from the “good choirs”. Some of these basic choral skills might seem so easy, but trust me, turning them into a habit (remembering and doing them every time you sing) is not so easy. Consistency with these good techniques are the key to improve choral singing.

POILER ALRET!!! Here are some more “DON’Ts” that you might not be expecting from what seems to be a very serious book! It is a manual for choirmasters, but it is also very fun to read, and some of Newton’s advice are just so specific!

4. DON’T abuse the surplice. Surplices should be put on just before the vestry prayer. Is it seemly to put on a surplice and then to discuss yesterday’s match or tomorrow’s concert?

23. DON’T sing Nunc dimittis painissimo. It is not the lament of a dying man, but the triumph song of one who was full of hope…

41. DON’T forget the power of silence. The other day a priest preached a forty-minute sermon on the great value of silence!…

53. DON’T allow carol singing in the streets by your boys; it is very undignified, and frequently irreverent, besides being very bad for the voice.

59. DON’T sing only music of the modern school; be broad in your taste. Church music did not being in the nineteenth century…

61. DON’T get depressed when the man in the pew—who as a rule does no church work himself, and finds all he wants in Evensong—dares to criticize the music and the singing…“Do not care how many, but whom, you please,”

67. DON’T burst into song on Good Friday. The day is too solemn for much music, and “Passion” music should not be left so late. “But,” it is urged, “people enjoy hearing big works on this day.” I reply—Is it a day for enjoyment? If the world chooses to run concerts and to feast on this day, let the world carry on. There’s money in it. But the church’s command is— “Eyes front! Halt!”

While this book was written over ninety years ago, a lot of the advice is still relevant nowadays. Do consider getting a copy and read through the whole book! Enjoy!

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 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).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Gregorian chant is the sacred chant, proper and principal of the Roman Church. Therefore, not only can it be used in all liturgical actions, but unless there are mitigating circumstances, it is preferable to use it instead of other kinds of sacred music.”

— §16, De Musica Sacra (1958)

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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