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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for March 2020

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2020

Sacred Music Symposium • “What We Avoid”

I wish we had to time to discuss artwork at the Sacred Music Symposium, but there’s just not enough time. At this year’s conference in June, we will sing an absolutely incredible Magnificat setting by Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599). If you examine the part books, you will notice a marvelous aesthetic desire to avoid […]

Wilfrid Jones · March 31, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Wilfrid Jones

Post-Liberal Theology compares a religion to a language. How might that comparison, which could include the concept of a “vocabulary” of liturgical music, inform how we think about repeating repertoire?

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Veronica Brandt · March 31, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Veronica Brandt

Sometimes a music director can encounter criticism about the music program. The good side of this is that it shows that someone cares.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2020

Going Beyond Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s “Take”

Sheen has sometimes been criticized for avoiding mention of the sacred liturgy during his talks, but I cannot agree with such a view. • Includes about the Holy Eucharist, including a quote by Father Leslie Rumble and a quote from Pope Pius X+

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Christopher Mueller · March 30, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Christopher Mueller

I’m sure I’m not the only one to feel this way: certain celebrations don’t feel right without “that piece.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 29, 2020

“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 […]

Patrick Torsell · March 29, 2020

8 Tips • “Improving Live Stream Audio Quality”

Many churches have turned to live streaming during these difficult times. But getting the audio quality right is challenging. Here are some tips!

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Richard J. Clark · March 28, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Richard J. Clark

“Repetition” in the Age of Streaming Masses…

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2020

HYMN • “Vexilla Regis” (SATB setting in English)

Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923) called this “perhaps the greatest of all hymns.”

Veronica Moreno · March 27, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Veronica Moreno

My own growth as a musician for the Liturgy has culminated in my pastor allowing me to sing the Propers in English: the realization of a decade-long dream.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2020

“Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” (Brébeuf Hymnal, #699)

During Advent, choirmasters must plan Christmas. During Lent, choirmasters must plan Easter. And so on.

Lucas Tappan · March 26, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Dr. Tappan

“The tunes and ditties of the radio will be meaningless in the magnitude of one’s final moments; only the psalms can bear the weight of the moment.” —Barry Rose

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2020

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 […]

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · March 25, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Dr. Calabrese

“I have made the mistake in the past of scheduling a whole set of new pieces for three of four weeks in a row.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Jeff Ostrowski

There’s an old saying: “Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2020

PDF Download • “Ad Regias Agni Dapes” (Organ Accompaniment)

I composed this organ accompaniment yesterday, looking ahead towards Eastertide.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 22, 2020

Readings & Prayers Used By My Family On Sunday…

Including Fulton J. Sheen, Charles de Foucauld, and a Homily by Father Valentine Young, OFM

Fr. David Friel · March 22, 2020

“Separated from the Sacraments” • Stories from Walter Ciszek, SJ

A missionary in Soviet Russia, Fr. Ciszek learned the spirituality of surrender through tremendous suffering.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2020

Rehearsal Video • Breathtaking Morales “Sanctus”

CCW contributors—Jeff, Veronica, Andrea, and Cynthia—each recorded a line for this recording.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 20, 2020

“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 […]

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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

“I examined him in your presence, and could find no substance in any of the charges you bring against him; nor could Herod, when I referred you to him. It is plain that he has done nothing which deserves death. I will scourge him, and then he shall go free.”

— Pontius Pilate

Recent Posts

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  • Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022
  • PDF Download • 2022 “Vespers Booklet” (99 Pages)
  • “Playing the Pipe Organ” • By Richard Nixon
  • 16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

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