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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

Westminster Cathedral Choir School: Update

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 7, 2020

Last spring many of us learned with sadness that Westminster Cathedral Choir School made the decision to reduce its boarding schedule from full-time to 5 days a week. Jeff’s recent post made me think that perhaps a recap of all the events so far would be helpful to readers.

To begin with, the school reduced its boarding schedule in an effort to attract more young boys wishing to join the choir. The idea was that parents would be more open to sending their sons off to boarding school if the boys could return home on the weekends (see flyer).

Opponents felt this would strike a death blow to the choir’s professionalism. I think there is truth in this, but not so much because rehearsal time would be reduced (although that would have an effect). The bigger reason is that currently choristers are recruited from all over the nation, creating not just a pool of possible applicants, but an ocean of boys to choose from. If the boys have to return home every weekend then that ocean is effectively drained because only boys within short driving distance of London would ever think to apply. I find it hard to imagine that in a nation of 65 million people a choir school struggles to find 4-6 suitable applicants each year. Westminster needs the best and brightest boys to make the choir work.

Perhaps more importantly and for the glory of God, a cathedral should have the sung liturgy on a daily basis, and there are some cathedrals in the world in possession of the resources to offer our Lord the apex of what we call the Church’s treasury of sacred music. Westminster Cathedral is one of them. As I am sure Westminster realizes, such a gift comes with great responsibilities, not only to the Catholics of London, but to Catholics and men and women of good will all over the world. As I currently understand it, the men of the choir do continue to sing on days when the boys are absent, however, this greatly reduces the available repertoire. Cleansing Westminster’s temple of even a couple of days of such a treasury would be a travesty, akin to chopping off the feet of Michelangelo’s David and trying to convince the world that the statue hadn’t really been tampered with.

Regardless, the schools decision has stirred up more than a bit of controversy. Last May I sent the school’s headmaster (as well as others, including Cardinal Nichols) the a letter and received the following reply:

Dear Dr Tappan,

Thank you for your letter of 7th May.

The daily sung liturgy at Westminster Cathedral continues;  the Friday evening and Saturday morning Masses will just be men’s voices only.

Recruiting eight-year-old practising Catholic boys, who can also sing, into a 24/7 boarding environment, against all the trends for both choir and preparatory schools in the UK,  has been proving exceptionally difficult.  Families want their children home at the weekends.

Our earnest hope is that these modest changes will strengthen and renew the chorister tradition, whose future is jeopardised by the status quo.

Thank you for taking the trouble to write to me, and every good wish,

Yours sincerely,

Neil McLaughlan
Head Master
Westminster Cathedral Choir School

The late Colin Mawby, former choir master who saved the school during the turbulent 60s, also weighed in on the matter in an article to the Catholic Herald. At the time I was curious to find out what Martin Baker, then current choir master, would do in response. Of course, we have since learned of his resignation at the end of last year, although it is my understanding he had not been seen at the cathedral for some time before this.

As matters currently stand, the diocese plans a review of the mission of the music program at Westminster Cathedral. I was happy to note that Andrew Reid, former Director of the Royal School of Church Music as well as former Assistant Master of Music at Westminster, will be on the review panel. According to the diocese, they are accepting “written comments and submissions from any interested parties” until February 17.

Please keep all involved in your prayers.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: February 8, 2020

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About Dr. Lucas Tappan

Dr. Lucas Tappan is a conductor and organist whose specialty is working with children. He lives in Kansas with his wife and four children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

If they protest and want, for example, to retain at least the familiar chants of the ordinary Mass in Latin, they are told that their protest is worthless. They are not “trained.” There is no reason to take account of what they say!

— Father Louis Bouyer (1968)

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