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Views from the Choir Loft

“How To Begin Choir Practice” • (A Suggestion)

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2019

UNNING A CHOIR REHEARSAL correctly is a million times harder than it looks. Those of us who enjoyed singing in college choirs received a “rude awakening” when we entered the real world and stood on the other side of the baton. Indeed, we talk for hours about this subject at the Sacred Music Symposium each year. How one begins rehearsal is crucial. In addition to attendance and opening prayers, it is good to have something “simple” (e.g. the Offertory antiphon) to start with, and it’s important that those arriving late hear singing as they enter. Suggestion: Why not sing through a new hymn as a “warm up” exercise? Someone took an iPhone recordings of one of my choirs doing that:


People have rightly pointed out that the Brébeuf hymnal has tons of melodies which are unfamiliar, in addition to all the common ones. That’s certainly true—and it’s one reason to be excited about this new hymnal.

Try reading through a new hymn melody toward the beginning of each choir practice. You’ll be amazed how “unfamiliar” hymns quickly transform into “old favorites.”

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Far from dreading an encounter with the Iroquois, Fr. Garnier often told us he would be quite content to fall into their hands and remain their prisoner if—while they were torturing him—he at least had a chance of instructing them as long as his torments lasted. If they allowed him to live, it would afford him a golden opportunity to work for their conversion, which was now impossible, since the gateway to their country was closed as long as they were our enemies.

— Father Ragueneau (Jesuit Relations)

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