Views from the Choir Loft

Incredible Opportunity In Kansas City

Lucas Tappan · February 12, 2020

WOULD like to share information about an incredible sacred music position in Kansas City, Kansas, recently created by a good friend of mine, Fr. Nick Blaha, at Christ the King Catholic Church and School. Fr. Blaha, a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California, as well as a veteran FOCUS missionary, was made pastor of CTK last year and already is transitioning the parish’s school to begin providing a classical education beginning the fall of this year (2020), and music, especially sacred music, will play a central role in the school’s (and parish’s) daily life.

He is specifically looking for someone who understands “that a musically literate culture is foundational for the cultivation of beauty and the worship of God… Educators who seek to shape students in both wisdom and virtue, and who share the belief that music and aesthetics play an integral part in the content of a Catholic liberal arts education should apply.”

Whomever he hires will have reign over music both in the school and at the parish and I cannot stress enough what an immense blessing it would be to work for Fr. Blaha.

Full details about the position can be viewed here.

About 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.

“Abraham” • Guerrero Imitates His Teacher

Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied music with Father Cristóbal de Morales circa 1545. He taught himself the organ. On 3 April 1542 he was engaged as a contralto by Seville Cathedral at an annual salary of 12,000 maravedís. He remained there until 1546, when, at the age of only 17, he was invited—on the recommendation of Father Morales—to become mæstro de capilla of Jaén Cathedral. He was entrusted with the boarding, lodging, and instruction of the six choirboys; but he neglected this duty and was sentenced to be dismissed on 30 August 1548. However, he was absolved and reinstated on 3 November. I think you can see (perhaps) a little homage to his teacher on the word “Abraham.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Too much music!

Choosing music for the Sacred Music Symposium requires careful consideration. We make sure (always) to have great variety. Because the schedule is so full, there’s never sufficient time to discuss the music fully—indeed, we could easily do a month-long seminar on each piece! For example, last year Dr. Calabrese conducted a setting of the Magnificat by Father Guerrero (d. 1599). It is one of the most magnificent (pardon the pun) pieces ever written, and I wish I had time to point out the brilliant way he syncopates the word “dispersit,” which means “He has scattered” or “He has dispersed.” Superb!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Sharing Is Caring”

I would like to share a message from a highly respected scholar. (His articles appear in distinguished journals such as Études grégoriennes and Oxford’s Early Music.) He wrote as follows:

The Brébeuf Hymnal is very tastefully done. Your team has exquisite literary and musical taste. I see from my copy of the hymnal that you also set Ex more docti to “Rockingham” (one of my favorite melodies for “When I survey the wondrous cross”). I especially appreciate the background information at the bottom of the page. When I played at the Lutheran church, I would always have a little note about the music, sometimes about a hymn, if the “Hymnal Companion” offered something of interest. The church we attend has battered Worship II hymnals (one per pew), but almost nobody seems to want to sing. I congratulate you on the staggering amount of work it took to produce the Brébeuf hymnal: excellent contents and production.

—Jeff Ostrowski