Views from the Choir Loft

A Summer Course in Old Notation

Charles Weaver · May 25, 2021

N FOLLOWING the Catholic blogosphere in recent months, it has been heartening to see so many upcoming opportunities for summer learning about sacred music. I would like to draw our readers’ attention to one such opportunity: the Summer 2021 Sacred Music Classes at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York. The program is led by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka and includes options for taking courses for graduate-level credit. The classes run all summer, and discounts are available for musicians working in parishes and Catholic schools.In particular, I am offering a 3-day course, July 28–30, in early notation. The goal of the course is to equip the student to be able to transcribe and edit music from original sources. The number of digitized print and manuscript sources of choral music from the twelfth to sixteenth centuries now available in digital format is staggering; there is so much music that is still not widely accessible through modern editions. As a side benefit, the information learned in the course will allow the student to evaluate and correct the modern editions that are widely available online.

My class, and several of the others, have options for in-person or online attendance. You can read more about the program on the St. Joseph’s Seminary website.

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

About Charles Weaver

Charles Weaver is on the faculty of the Juilliard School, and serves as director of music for St. Mary’s Church. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and four children.—(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