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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

Symposium 2019 • “Video Outtakes”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 16, 2019

IKE EVERYONE ELSE, I have my own personal struggles: spiritual, physical, financial, and so forth. I have bad days, like everybody else. But something I like to call to mind—which gives me joy—is the very special “week.” When I refer to “the week,” I’m referencing the Sacred Music Symposium, which is a very happy week that occurs each year. During difficult moments, I often recall the beautiful memories, bringing a smile to my face. Regarding this year’s Symposium, I wish I could express in a particular way my thanks to Andrea, Kevin, Richard, and Alfred for what they did. I’ve tried to express my gratitude to them, but I doubt they know how very special it was—happy memories I shall never forget.

God-willing, we will eventually post the professional audio recordings, as well as the marvelous testimonials from the participants. I say “God-willing” because we can never know the future; today might be my last day on earth. Only the Lord knows.

Until we get the professional recordings posted,
please enjoy the iPhone snippets below!

Maestro Clark, who just travelled across the entire United States, steps off his plane and begins rehearsing a brand new “Ave Maria,” written specifically for the First Mass of Fr. Luc Poirier, FSSP:


Dr. Calabrese rehearsing the Magnificat by Guerrero, in spite of the bells ringing:


Maestro Clark rehearsing part of the Benedictus shortly before the First Mass of Fr. Luc Poirier:


Dr. Calabrese rehearsing what is probably my favorite part of the Palestrina Kyrie, viz. the “Christe” section:


Friends from Las Vegas preparing to teach a course on multi-track recordings:


Dr. Calabrese rehearsing part of the Palestrina Kyrie:


Maestro Clark rehearsing part of the Palestrina Benedictus:


The theme of this year’s conference was “Roman Catholic Hymnody,” and in this clip we sight-read a hymn text by Fr. Dominic Popplewell, FSSP. The pieces in the Brébeuf hymnal are “simple”—for the average choir—but profoundly rewarding to sing:


Alongside the Sacred Music Symposium, Fr. James Fryar, FSSP, always runs an altar server camp with help from FSSP seminarians:


The Symposium is a place where literally anything can happen. Here are two famous church musicians just walking around talking:


This is a short excerpt from Dr. Calabrese’s conducting clinics, which are very much in demand:


After a long day of classes, rehearsals, Mass, Solemn Vespers, and so forth, we always closed with a beautiful setting of a hymn by Cardinal Newman. The sheet music will be available soon:


The Sacred Music Symposium has become the preëminent conference on Church music the world over. I can’t think of any other sacred music conference that approaches what we do. I think we gained this reputation by avoiding the “trap” into which too many conferences fall. We give valuable instruction the people can take home with them; we don’t just sing the entire time. That being said, we do an awful lot of singing:


Here’s a clip of participants walking to the Chapel to rehearse:


During Sacred Music Symposium 2019, we sight-read tons of SATB hymns from the Brébeuf hymnal. Here is an example:


A few photographs. The final one, where I am with a young lady in a yellow (orange?) shirt, was taken the very first day of the Symposium:

82950 Sacred Music Symposium 82952 faculty 82953 Sacred Music Symposium 82954 Sacred Music Symposium 82955 Sacred Music Symposium 82956 Sacred Music Symposium 82957 Sacred Music Symposium 82598 Sacred Music Symposium 82982-beginning-day-POINTS
Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: March 17, 2022

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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

    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on which source text is chosen and what each translator wants to emphasize. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “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

Random Quote

Never before have men had so many time-saving devices. Yet, never before have they had so little free time. When the world unnecessarily accelerates, the Church must slow down.

— Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

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  • “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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