Views from the Choir Loft

Sacred Music Boot Camp 2020

Fr. David Friel · October 12, 2020

UILDING on the success of the first-ever virtual Sacred Music Colloquium back in July, the Church Music Association of America (CMAA) will host a Sacred Music Boot Camp later this week via Zoom. One of the presenters will be our own Dr. Lucas Tappan. This event will feature practical chant instruction and lectures designed to introduce attendees more broadly to the treasury of Catholic sacred music. In addition to the instruction and lectures, there will also be opportunities for prayer.

Among the breakout sessions being offered are many interesting topics, including:

The Hierarchy of the Sung Liturgy: When and What to Sing
How to Read Square Notes
The Basics of Conducting Chant
Building a Music Program Budget
How to Start a Chant Choir

All of the sessions on Thursday evening will be offered both in English and in Spanish.

The dates for the boot camp will be Thursday through Saturday, October 15–17, 2020. The program will run from 5:00 to 10:30 PM (ET) on Thursday and Friday and from 10:00 AM to 6:15 PM (ET) on Saturday.

More information and registration is available here.

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

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski