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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for May 2020

Veronica Brandt · May 30, 2020

Singing the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Baronius Press edition is beautiful, but lacks important markings for singers.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 27, 2020

Covid-19 • “A Word Of Encouragement”

Over these next few months, I want to try reach out to our readers.

Lucas Tappan · May 26, 2020

Broadcasting Holy Mass During Covidtide

The most problematic genre for use in broadcasting is the English setting of the Mass Ordinary since all of the major settings are currently under copyright.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 26, 2020

Arranging and Transcribing Our Way Through the Epidemic

I am imagining a new ensemble, built out of necessity, for the singing of polyphonic motets and even Mass ordinaries.

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Fr. David Friel · May 26, 2020

Returning to the Sacraments • Stories from Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Prevented from receiving Holy Communion for a time, Frassati became “consumed with Eucharistic Fire.”

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Keven Smith · May 26, 2020

The Fastest, Cheapest, Painfulest Way to Get a Voice Lesson

You know your own sound so well. You know your strengths, and what you need to work on. Why not suck it up and become your own vocal coach for a while?

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 26, 2020

“Discussion” • Father Guerrero’s 7th Mode Magnificat

Before we began recording, the participants unanimously gave permission to post online.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 24, 2020

Are the Solesmes editions in conformity with the official edition?

Sigh … another day, another invisible “white note” to ignore!

Veronica Moreno · May 23, 2020

It’s not too late to “Crown Mary”

A mother remembers the time she was chosen to “crown Mary” and describes organizing a “May Crowning” for her family during the pandemic.

Andrea Leal · May 22, 2020

Huge Announcement • The Brébeuf Virtual Choir!

The Sacred Music Symposium is bearing fruits none of its organizers—myself included—could have imagined. Laus Deo!

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 22, 2020

From a Catholic priest…

Regarding the CCW mailing list, a priest (Father E. J.) wrote to us yesterday: “Sometime ago, you wrote something along the lines that none of your emails are copies or merely pitches; each one is individual. I respect you so much for that. I don’t always get to read through them, but they remain in […]

Richard J. Clark · May 22, 2020

Reopening our Churches – Encouragement – Resources

As churches are working towards reopening, it is also no small change for many to concede congregational singing and choirs of any size. So many musicians have already sacrificed so much, spiritually, artistically, and economically.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 21, 2020

“Jesu Nostra Redemptio” • Ancient Hymn for the Ascension translated into English!

Did you know every Mass is a celebration of our Lord’s Ascension? — Here’s proof.

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Lucas Tappan · May 20, 2020

Of Shepherds and Sheep

This image of Christ as the Good Shepherd constitutes the supreme model for all pastors, clerical or (in a broader and unordained sense) lay—anyone leading others into the Sheepfold of the Church. It is, therefore, crucial to understand the various nuances of pastor, or shepherd.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2020

New Harmonies! • “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King”

It’s hard to believe, but Father Knauff’s “Christ the King Hymnal for Congregational Singing” (1954) omitted this hymn!

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Keven Smith · May 18, 2020

What to Do When Music Creeps Into Your Prayer

Music is a language, but it does not supplant our own. Rather, it enlivens our words so that they can penetrate the soul with the fullness of their meaning—and enlighten our eyes in any circumstance.

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Fr. David Friel · May 17, 2020

Returning to the Sacraments • “Breathe Easter Now” (Hopkins)

Words of Hope from Gerard Manley Hopkins

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2020

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniments (Benediction)

Including O SALUTARIS (“O Saving Victim Opening Wide”) and TANTUM ERGO (“Down in Adoration Falling”) in Latin and English.

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Veronica Brandt · May 16, 2020

Regina Caeli: How Good do you Need to Be to Sing Polyphony?

To sing at Mass though, you need more than just being able to finish together.

William J. Fritz · May 15, 2020

How to Change a Hymn Without Changing It

Ever thought of changing the way you play a hymn without needing to have studies advanced theory and harmonization techniques? Here are two ways of changing the way you are playing a hymn without changing the harmony or re-voicing it.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

4 March 2021 • Can you spare 15 seconds?

Due to Covid-19, California has basically been under “lock down” for 11 months, and these restrictions have had quite a detrimental effect on our choral programs. We are frequently limited to just 2-3 singers, on account of regulations by the government and our Archdiocese. However, although the number of singers is quite small, I was struck by the beauty of the singing last Sunday. Listen to this 15-second live excerpt and see if you agree?

—Jeff Ostrowski
3 March 2021 • “A policeman” — really?

According to Monsignor Frederick R. McManus, there were “policemen” serving the Sanhedrin in the time of Our Blessed Lord. Look at this awful translation in the 1966 “Saint Andrew Bible Missal” from 1966. Yuck!

—Jeff Ostrowski
Surprising Popularity!

One of our most popular downloads has proven to be the organ accompaniment to “The Monastery Hymnal” (131 pages). This book was compiled, arranged, and edited by Achille P. Bragers, who studied at the Lemmensinstituut (Belgium) about thirty years before that school produced the NOH. Bragers might be considered an example of Belgium “Stile Antico” whereas Flor Peeters and Jules Van Nuffel represented Belgium “Prima Pratica.” You can download the hymnal by Bragers at this link.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Friedman met Egon Wellesz in Altaussee on one of the walks, and Egon started to speak about atonal music—and Ignaz replied: “No, no, no. Melody for me.”

— From the Life of Ignazy Friedman

Recent Posts

  • A Beautiful Lenten Hymn • “How It Sounds”
  • Two Recent Talks on the Liturgy
  • 4 March 2021 • Can you spare 15 seconds?
  • Now Online! • “Missale Romanum” (1615 edition)
  • “Ash Wednesday” • Banned by YouTube after 93,000 Views!

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