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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

PDF Download • “Midnight Mass Musical Plan” (2020)

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2020

OMETHING WE HAVE tried to avoid on this blog is constant complaining about the way our government (and our Church) has reacted to Covid-19. The reason for this is simple: Complaining doesn’t solve anything. That being said, there is no question that Covid-19 has turned what’s already a difficult vocation into something even more precarious and arduous. Here in California, we’ve basically been ‘locked down’ since March. The Covid-19 restrictions have constantly been modified, sometimes on a weekly basis. For Christmas this year, our parish will have five Masses (whereas on Sundays, we have six Masses).

I am fearful to release our “musical program” for Midnight Mass; it’s rough with ugly formatting … but here goes:

*  PDF Download • MUSICAL PLAN (Midnight Mass)
—Rough document showing musical selections, with ancient manuscripts.

A friend of mine thought readers would enjoy seeing it, because I placed ancient manuscripts next to each piece, along with rehearsal videos.

Sacred Scripture is full of mysteries. Father Michael Irwin, FSSP, reminded us that the Bible says angels “sang” at the birth of Christ—but what precisely does that mean? Angels have no voices. According to Father Irwin, there is much we don’t understand about the Bible. Indeed, the Catholic Church Herself has never explained some of what is contained in the Book of Revelation. A very great fault—perhaps the greatest fault—of today’s theologians is an inability to say three words: “We don’t know.” In any event, God made known the Birth of Christ to shepherds; why shepherds? Precisely because shepherds were looked down upon; they were considered so “worthless” that the testimony of a shepherd was not accepted in court:

A Dutch manuscript from the 1400s shows the Nativity of Christ:

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Annunciation to Shepherds Last Updated: December 23, 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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

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

Random Quote

Far from dreading an encounter with the Iroquois, Fr. Garnier often told us he would be quite content to fall into their hands and remain their prisoner if—while they were torturing him—he at least had a chance of instructing them as long as his torments lasted. If they allowed him to live, it would afford him a golden opportunity to work for their conversion, which was now impossible, since the gateway to their country was closed as long as they were our enemies.

— Father Ragueneau (Jesuit Relations)

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