Views from the Choir Loft

Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast

Fr. David Friel · March 10, 2019

EBCASTING aficionados take heed: a new podcast devoted to sacred music has just been launched. Entitled Square Notes, the program is dedicated to exploring the teaching and vision of the Church on the topic of liturgical music. This project brings the discussion of truly sacred music to a new platform, supplementing what is already available through professional organizations, in the blogosphere, and in print.

The hosts of the podcast are Dr. Jennifer Donelson and Mr. Peter Carter, whose full bios are posted on the podcast’s website.

The first episode (the only one available so far) is an interview with Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, OR (see here for news of his recently promulgated “Archdiocesan Liturgical Handbook”). The interview, which lasts just over half an hour, involves an engaging discussion of the principles of sacred music and the importance of worthy liturgical celebration.

Future episodes will include stories of conversions prompted by sacred music, conversations with specialists in musical pedagogy for children, and such notable guests as Fr. Cassian Folsom, OSB, Dr. William Mahrt, and Charles Cole.

This new podcast is distributed through various media, including iTunes, YouTube, SoundCloud, and Stitcher. See the program’s own website for links to these listening platforms.

You can also like their Facebook page to stay abreast of newly posted episodes.

For my own first foray into the world of webcasting, check out this podcast from a couple years ago about what constitutes true sacred music.

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

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

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