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

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Views from the Choir Loft

New Season! New Beginning!

Andrew Leung · September 6, 2018

CTL New Season New Beginning Y NOW, I think the summer break is over for most of the church choirs around the world. This is the time when choir rehearsals and choral liturgies resume. Now is the beginning of a new season! And it is very important to start a season correctly.

First of all, PRAYER!!! Prayer should be the nature of all music in a church. It is important that we acknowledge spiritual aspect of sacred music. Say a quick prayer before the choir rehearsal, and then pray the music throughout the rehearsal or liturgy. Some church choirs would even have a commission ceremony to stress the importance of the role and responsibility of a liturgical choir.

The beginning of a season is also a good time to set some goals, perhaps some challenging pieces that the choir would learn or some methods that would help raise the musical standard of the choir. This is also the time to review some of the old repertoire and basic choral techniques, as some choir members might have left and new choir members are just starting. Many things can be sorted out now, before the “chaotic” Advent and Christmas.

Now is also a time for some laughter and sharing. Maybe share about what we have done over the summer. Relax and no need to get stressed out at the first week of choir practice! Here is something fun, but also serves as a good reminder for all:

Prayer of Confession for Choir Members:

Almighty and most merciful Conductor,
We have erred and strayed from thy beat like lost sheep;
We have followed too much the intonations and tempi of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy dynamic markings.
We have left unsung those notes that we ought to have sung,
And we have sung those notes that we ought not to have sung.
And there is no support in us.

But thou, O Conductor, have mercy upon us, miserable singers;
Succor the chorally challenged;
Restore them that need sectionals;
Spare thou them that have no pencils.
Pardon our mistakes, and have faith that hereafter we will follow
Thy directions and sing together in perfect harmony.

On a more serious note, a friend of mine sent me this link on “Choir etiquette” and I think it is very practical and would be helpful to many of our readers. May we continue to glorify God with our voices!

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

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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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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it, for in the past they have unhappily left it.

— Pope Pius XI (6 January 1928)

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