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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

Why Should You Come to the Symposium?

Andrea Leal · February 25, 2020

VER the last few years I have been volunteering my time to help the FSSP apostolate in Los Angeles organize the Sacred Music Symposium. I have spoken to many Catholics in the process of accepting participants into the Symposium, and what I found quite striking was how many of them had either been suddenly thrust into a position of starting a choir, or could see it looming clearly on the horizon. I was astonished to realize that the renewal of the traditional liturgy and of authentic sacred music is a very real thing, and that it is developing rapidly all over America (indeed, all over the world).

In every parish there will always be that one person who is the most capable of starting a choir. Usually it’s someone who has had some musical training in the past or has a natural talent for music. They are not necessarily a highly qualified individual with a music degree, but they have a deep and abiding love for the Holy Mass and for beautiful music. They are the ones who end up in the trenches, so to speak, trying to gather up people and teach them to sing for the Mass – with little to no resources.

That is why this year’s Symposium (June 15 -June 19 in Los Angeles) is going to be particularly useful to all of us who are in the “trenches”. This year’s focus is on making your volunteer choir sound absolutely stunning. You will be trained in useful rehearsal techniques and you will be given real world advice for improving your choir. This is the kind of information you will be able to put into immediate use at your parish upon your return home.

But lest you think that this is only for directors of new choirs, rest assured that even if you are a seasoned music director, you will come away with excellent methods of improving your choir, even if they are already doing well. Dr. Horst Buchholz, Dr. Alfred Calabrese, Maestro Kevin Allen, and others will be present to share their professional secrets with you.

If you want to improve your volunteer choir, send an e-mail to dom.mocquereau@gmail.com to request an application (please be sure to include a phone number where we can reach you).

And if you aren’t sure that the Symposium is for you, you may witness for yourself the fruits of past Symposiums. Allow me introduce you to one of my singers, Karen (age 19), who has been attending the Symposium with me every year since she was 15. Here she was, just yesterday morning, training the next generation of singers. Incidentally, music is a family effort – Karen and four of her siblings all sing in our Schola! This is just one small example of the abundant fruits of attending the FSSP Sacred Music Symposium.

If you are one of those people who is tentatively stepping up into the role of leading a choir, be strong and carry on. You can absolutely do this, and we want to help you! Learn all about what to expect at the Symposium by visiting ccwatershed.org/symposium.

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

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Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: February 26, 2020

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About Andrea Leal

Andrea Leal is a wife and homeschooling mother of 6 children. She serves as choir director for the Traditional Latin Mass in Las Vegas.—(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    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
    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “14 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —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

“The chapter secretary is authorized to write a letter beseeching a royal pardon for Caspar de Cuevas, cathedral sackbut player, who is imprisoned on a murder charge.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (23 March 1566)

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