Views from the Choir Loft

Fr. Peter Gee • My First Chant Teacher

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2019

ATHER PETER GEE was my first chant teacher. I knew him as a Deacon for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. Later, he was ordained and became our Pastor. He had a really beautiful voice. He ended up leaving the Fraternity—I believe he became a diocesan priest in England. I remember that Fr. Gee did not like the United States very much…at least compared to England. I was so blessed to serve (often) as his M.C. for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and he said Mass extremely carefully—and extremely well. ¹

I have not heard from him in more than 20 years, but I stumbled across this image:

89652-Father-Peter-Gee-FSSP-Photograph

It’s easy to determine which one is Fr. Gee—the other two are reading from a card, but Fr. Gee (needless to say) has the prayers memorized. What a beautiful image; I love the colors. Is it just me, or does England have extremely beautiful churches?

NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1 I would like to meet him again some day, but I don’t know if that will ever happen. That is in the Hands of God.

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

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).

PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”

If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Introit • (This Coming Sunday)

Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”

My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

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)