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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

“On a Sacred Note” • Catholic TV Network • 13 Part Series on Sacred Music

Richard J. Clark · June 1, 2018

HE CATHOLIC TV Network is launching its thirteen-part series on sacred music beginning, Monday, June 4th. Hosted by Stephanie Scogna (Artistic Director, Boston Art Song Society), the series explores over a millennium of music history through present-day genres and experiences. A most ambitious series, Scogna tackles subjects from Gregorian Chant to Navigating Vatican II on the parish level.

Based in Boston, the series includes visits to various churches, live performance from The Brookline Consort, and interviews with various music directors.

• The show airs (HD) on Mon. 8:30 A.M., Tue. 8:30 P.M., Fri. 12 A.M., and Sat. 5 P.M. (All Eastern times) Beginning June 4, 2018, there will be a new episode each week.

• Download topics, guests, and broadcast schedule here.

• In addition to cable, Catholic TV is available on several streaming platforms. Chick here for various ways to watch. You can also get more information at CatholicTV.org.

Preview: The Brookline Consort being filmed at Saint Cecilia Church, Boston:

Beautiful music, beautiful churches—what more could you ask for? Only 2 more days until the premiere of On a Sacred Note, hosted by StephScogna</a>! Watch it Monday at 8:30am ET and catch it again Tuesday at 8:30pm ET. <a href="https://t.co/P26jn62qfo">pic.twitter.com/P26jn62qfo</a></p>&mdash; CatholicTV (CatholicTV) June 2, 2018



N AN INTERVIEW IN Catholic TV Magazine (June, 2018) Stephanie Scogna talks about the series and what to expect:

“I am beyond grateful that we’ve been able to pack each episode of the series with so much: educational content, interviews with church Music Directors, and real-time performances of music from throughout the centuries, all filmed in the churches themselves! I consciously chose to feature churches and directors that I believe present coherent and invaluable music programs to the parishes they serve. We have so much amazing talent in the Archdiocese of Boston when it comes to early sacred music, including music directors Richard Clark, John Robinson, Janet Hunt, and Michael Olbash! After watching an episode of On a Sacred Note, viewers will have learned a bit about one of the liturgical music genres and/or time periods, heard an interview with a parish music director about his or her experiences with that music and watched a performance by dedicated musicians who study — and often specialize in — sacred music.

“Just as there is so much respect and awe to be found when we dig deep into the Church’s social history — including the challenges, the codification of doctrine, and the abundance of theological writings — so also can we find depth and meaning in her music. At the end of the series, it is my hope that viewers will feel more connected to the composers and musical traditions that played a role in Catholic life over thousands of years. More specifically, my wish is that our viewers will walk into Sunday Mass with a new attentiveness to this aspect of liturgical experience, and that discussion may continue on the parish level regarding how the music of the Church can move us to prayer, excite our spirits, and call us to greater reverence, grounded in the theology and tradition that it represents.” — Stephanie Scogna

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Catholic TV, On a Sacred Note 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

    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

And since it is becoming that holy things be administered in a holy manner, and of all things this sacrifice is the most holy, the Catholic Church, to the end that it might be worthily and reverently offered and received, instituted many centuries ago the holy canon, which is so free from error that it contains nothing that does not in the highest degree savor of a certain holiness and piety and raise up to God the minds of those who offer.

— Council of Trent (1562)

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  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

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