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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

Can Sacred Music Be Saved? • (How exactly?)

Jeff Ostrowski · April 30, 2020

ATHER PETER GEE once preached a sermon on the words of Saint Paul: Behold, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. He said: “The time for holiness is now—not some faraway day in the future when you’re old.” I feel strongly the time has arrived for us to begin the process of restoring authentic Church music. Towards the end of this article, I give a few practical suggestions on how to move forward. Moreover, I’ve decided to attempt something audacious with our choir here in Los Angeles: We’re going to learn a polyphonic MAGNIFICAT for Solemn Vespers (held each Sunday afternoon at our parish).

I don’t know a more electric, powerful piece than this:

Now I will explain why
I’m extremely sad.

Most people won’t click on #79075; which means they won’t download the special PDF score containing immense amounts of fascinating information. They also won’t take advantage of the individual rehearsal videos (which required countless hours to create) because they’re unwilling to click on #79075. Can you blame me for being upset?

I’m also sad because people who don’t click on #79075 will have no idea how to make sense of this video, since that PDF score is indispensable:

By the way, to help us learn that MAGNIFICAT, we will sing #78969 each week. That’s one of the hardest sections, because it begins on a minor chord. (Maybe Father Morales was in a bad mood when he made that decision!) Beginning on a minor chord is quite difficult, because the intonation must be flawless.

A few thoughts about whether
Sacred music can be saved:

(1) Please don’t think for a second I don’t realize the obstacles we face as church musicians. Believe me; I know what we’re up against. I know how frequently choirmasters are treated unjustly. I know the heavy burdens choirmasters carry…burdens which seem insurmountable. I’m aware of the abuse we suffer on a daily basis. I’m aware of the sacrifices we make. And someday I will reveal the special obstacles we face here in Los Angeles—which are not inconsiderable.

(2) But let us never again become discouraged by these obstacles! Let us resolve to stop dwelling on the cruel things often said to us by uninformed (and unpleasant) people, because dwelling on such things will make our lives miserable. Let us shake off the “nattering nabobs of negativism.”

(3) Something I find essential to survival is choosing truly excellent music: music with “depth.” This is very important. Sometimes we have to dig for it—e.g. transcribing pieces by Palestrina or Guerrero—but choosing awesome music pays off in the long run. The music of composers like Palestrina and Guerrero is so pure, so magical, so mysterious, and so clever. People who click on #79075 can read explanations I wrote—yet even those barely scratch the surface of this music, which has such depth!

(4) Let us remember how cool our singers are! I have about fifty singers in my choirs here in Los Angeles, and they are such great people. They are fun. They want to learn. We have a fun job!

(5) Finally, let’s remember: Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. Our vocation is to teach our choir members to sing, so let’s get busy! If we have to use Zoom for the present, so be it. They want to learn—they want to “sing, sing, sing.” Let us not waste so much time reading negative online articles by authors who (really) are not experts in their subjects. Let us not become discouraged by the negative and dishonest people we come into contact with online. Let us cherish our friends; let us build one another up! And don’t fool around if a singer has a bad attitude. Never tolerate a bad attitude. Only work with singers who want to learn from you, because life is short!

Let’s not spend so much time worrying. Remember what Father Valentine Young, OFM, said in one of his last sermons before he died: “I have probably suffered more in my life from things that never happened than from things that did happen!”

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Francisco Guerrero Composer Last Updated: May 5, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(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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