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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

Directing A Choir: Are You Tough Enough?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 24, 2018

89388 laugh HE OTHER DAY, something struck me in a powerful way: by observing someone’s sense of humor, I can discern what type of person I’m dealing with. For example, when I stumble across the social media feed of an emotionally disturbed Catholic, I often discover an endless barrage of sarcasm and hatred. While I have no problem with a little sarcasm from time to time, someone who seemingly lives for nothing else is horrific to behold. Saint John Vianney spoke of people “who are never so happy as when they are spreading scandal and gossip”—and when we examine today’s social media accounts, we encounter far too many who cannot go five minutes without attacking someone else, always by means of “funny” sarcasm and hatred. Ha ha ha. 1

They say Don Bosco was hilarious to be around: always smiling and joking. Many other saints—Thomas More and Antoine Daniel, for example—were famous for their wit and jovial attitude. Those of us who have had the pleasure of meeting one of the church music giants, Fr. Robert Skeris, will have a difficult time calling to mind a more hilarious fellow, although his erudition is peerless (I realize that sounds contradictory). By the way, this “saintly” joviality has nothing to do with goofy inside jokes we come across on platforms such as Facebook. Moreover, the happiness I’m speaking of genuine, not fake. As Fr. Rutler reminds us:

The “jolly good guy” kind of pastor can be an irritant. […] Ministers of the Gospel are not used car salesmen whose heartiness is a mile wide and an inch deep. A bemused layman told me that a bishop joked with him, but turned away like a startled deer when asked an important question…

Fake happiness is harmful, but healthy humor can help choirmasters survive.

HOSE WHO WOULD SERVE as choirmasters must be prepared for trials, setbacks, and crosses. Sooner or later, you will have to deal with an immoral priest. Sooner or later, you will be yelled at by an irate parishioner. Sooner or later, you will run into jealous colleagues who don’t accept the teachings of the Church. Sooner or later, you will encounter choir members who promise you the world…but then lose interest and disappear. Indeed, sometimes the very people you’ve shown the most kindness will betray you and even spread lies about you or your choir. You will be tempted to “retreat” and stop showing people kindness, but you must never succumb to this temptation.

Never lower yourself by trying to “get even” or fight fire with fire. Be scrupulous in guarding your integrity. Most importantly, remember we are serving the LORD, who said: “Blessèd are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7). And our Savior also said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk 9:23).

Father Paul Ragueneau describes the interior life of holy Noël Chabanel as follows:

When, in addition, God withdraws His visible graces and remains hidden, although a person sighs for Him alone, and when He leaves the soul a prey to sadness, disgust, and natural aversions—these are the trials which are greater than ordinary virtue can bear. The love of God has to be strong in the heart not to be snuffed out under such circumstances. Add to this the danger, present at every moment of the day, of being attacked by a savage enemy armed with fire and flames and unheard-of torments, who would more often force you to suffer a thousand deaths before you met death itself. One certainly had to have the strength of the sons of God not to lose courage in the midst of such desolation.

I would never compare the struggles of a choirmaster to what St. Noël Chabanel underwent—none but a fool would do so. However, those of us who struggle to restore authentic sacred music can relate to Fr. Ragueneau mentioning “the trials which are greater than ordinary virtue can bear.” That is why we must never fail to invoke the intercession of St. Noël Chabanel.

On a practical level, I recommend participating in something like the Sacred Music Symposium (which still has a few spots available) because you will become friends with people undergoing the same struggles you are.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   The scariest thing is to come across someone who never (authentically) laughs. This is absolutely terrifying—and extremely perverse. But I will speak about that another day.

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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —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

A priest celebrating the Mass “ad orientem” is no more turning his back on the people than a teacher leading her students in the “Pledge of Allegiance” is slighting them by turning her back on them and facing the flag with them.

— Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone (6 April 2025)

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