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Views from the Choir Loft

Repeating Repertoire? • Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt · March 31, 2020

He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.

Matthew 13: 52

It seems self-evident that a church’s music program will combine new music with old music that people are more familiar with. There is music which varies according to season and music which is always applicable. A music director has the honor of choosing the music according to the abilities of all concerned, liturgical needs and making a beautiful sound for the greater glory of God.

New and old music

Sometimes a music director can encounter criticism about the music program. The good side of this is that it shows that someone cares. It can be an opportunity to share ideas about why we choose certain music. Hopefully it can be an amicable exchange mutually enriching both sides.

Having a plan can be helpful. Having a published schedule of upcoming music can help show that the choices are not arbitrary. It can also show that any alterations need to be made months in advance. Also having records of past plans helps bring something concrete to any discussion.

When it comes to the discussion of varying music, I’m always reminded of a dear old priest who would sing the same two hymns, one before Mass and the other after Mass, just for the quiet weekday Masses. Usually such Masses would have had no music whatsoever, but these two well known hymns were very welcome.

I still fall back on those two hymns on a fairly regular basis. They are well known here in Australia but I understand not so well known elsewhere around the world. I’m speculating that other places would tend to have old stalwart pieces which can guarantee a good reception. Such pieces could become stale, but they have their place.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Repeating Repertoire Last Updated: April 2, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    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

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“If he converses with the learned and judicious, he delights in their talent—if with the ignorant and foolish, he enjoys their stupidity. He is not even offended by professional jesters. With a wonderful dexterity he accommodates himself to every disposition. As a rule, in talking with women (even with his own wife) he is full of jokes and banter.”

— ‘Erasmus on St. Thomas More (England’s 1st lay Chancellor)’

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