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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 November 2020

Fr. David Friel · November 18, 2020

On the Dedication of Churches

Celebrating the dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul Outside the Walls

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 17, 2020

“Alma Redemptoris Mater” • Thirteen (13) Organ Accompaniments

When it comes to Gregorian harmonizations, this piece is surely the “pons asinorum.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2020

16 November 2020 • Exciting addition!

By kind permission of the Trustees of the London Oratory, we have added Mæstro Patrick Russill’s outstanding organ accompaniment for “Salve Regina” to the other versions currently available for free PDF download. Patrick Russill needs no introduction among church musicians the world over, and many consider his harmonization the finest of all.

Keven Smith · November 16, 2020

Let’s Bring Back the Thank-You Note

I’m a little early for Thanksgiving, but I think any church musician will appreciate this story of gratitude.

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Fr. David Friel · November 15, 2020

Wilbur Wright and the McCarrick Report

The importance of telling the truth.

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2020

Should Hymn Lyrics Be Inordinately Archaic?

The question of “Thee, Thy, Thou, Thine” • Speaks about whether referring to the “original version” of a hymn text makes sense • Treatment of the beautiful hymn melody called “Lafitau” and a harmonization by Claude Goudimel (d. 1572) with the melody placed into the Tenor voice+

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2020

“Homily — 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

God has a special task and calling for each and every one of us.

Lucas Tappan · November 10, 2020

(Installment #13) “Catholic Hymnals” • Lucas Tappan

We can sometimes be so caught up in advancing Gregorian chant that we fail to remember that every single age in the history of the Catholic Church has seen forms of popular religious music…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2020

Solemn Mass • Ruins of Saint Mary’s Cathedral (Nagasaki, 1949)

Due to government restrictions, California has been “locked down” since March, and all our Masses are celebrated outside.

Keven Smith · November 9, 2020

Veterans Day: Remembering Those Who Made Our Music Possible

My grandparents served in World War II and helped defeat fascism. The service, faith, and prayers of people like them made it possible for us all to be church musicians today.

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2020

Catholic Artists and “Self Hatred”

Sviatoslav Richter couldn’t function—much less perform—unless he carried around his pink, plastic lobster for comfort • Have you ever become discouraged about your abilities? Have you ever felt contempt for your early artistic creations? Typos from beautiful books are included in this reflection+

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Veronica Moreno · November 7, 2020

(Installment #12) “Catholic Hymnals” • Veronica Moreno

A Catholic homeschooler shares her preparations for hymn study for the upcoming Advent season. She presents pieces from deep in the Brébeuf Hymnal, one from fond memories at her Catholic school, and closes with bells intoning the “Angelus”.

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2020

6 November 2020 • FEEDBACK

The director of music at EWTN wrote to us about the Brébeuf hymnal: “I do believe your hymnal has the best harmonizations available. We have used several of your harmonizations on EWTN. I have recommended to other hymnal editors that they get aligned with Corpus Christi Watershed to improve their harmonizations. Take care.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2020

Msgr. Schmitt backs up Rev. Fortescue

My colleague, Andrea Leal, recently posted something extraordinary: an English translation of a NOTITIAE document from 1970 which explains why the reformers did such violence to the ancient Proprium Missæ. The author of that document erroneously claims that Gregorian composers changed the wording for musical purposes, but the real reason Missal and Gradual don’t always […]

Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2020

“Polyphonic Credo” during Communion?

It sounds strange to Americans, but a very common European tradition is to sing a polyphonic “Agnus Dei” during the distribution of Holy Communion, famously defended by Cardinal Ratzinger in 1995. Monsignor Francis P. Schmitt wrote about visiting Saint Joseph Oratory in Montreal, and says: “A polyphonic Creed was sung during the distribution of Communion.” […]

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —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

Random Quote

If the homily goes on too long, it will affect two characteristic elements of the liturgical celebration: its balance and its rhythm. The words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the center of attention.

— Pope Francis (11/24/2013)

Recent Posts

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  • “Singing Advice” • Frank Sinatra to Ronald Reagan

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