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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Three Myths About Hymns

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2021

ELOW YOU WILL FIND three common myths about hymns—as well as the correct answers! This is part of a larger project being undertaken by SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS which concerns positive steps to restore authentic Catholic music at the parish level. When you read the “answers” below, please let me know whether you discover anything that needs correction. Thank you!

Covid Devastation: We were not allowed to rehearse for 14 months due to Covid-19. Our volunteer choir—in which 80% had no prior musical training—has been trying to make up for lost time. We recently learned this Gospel Acclamation, which can be used in the Ordinary Form or the Extraordinary Form. Here’s a live recording from last Sunday:

The Value of Hymnody: In an effort to get the singers to “hear one another”—and thereby tune harmoniously—we have been learning hymns from the Brébeuf hymnal in SATB. Due to time constraints, we never get to rehearse these hymns properly; but I hope that if we just keep singing them they will improve. On 12 September 2021, we sang an ancient hymn to our lady, since that is traditionally the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.

*  PDF Download • HILDERSTONE HYMN
—Latin version of Hymn #396 in the John Brébeuf Hymnal.

Three Myths about Catholic Hymns:

Q. I recently attended a liturgical
conference where the speaker said
hymns don’t belong at Mass…
Read Answer

Q. Is it true that Catholics “stole”
the idea of singing hymns from
Protestant churches?
Read Answer

Q. My Protestant friend says
Catholics are wrong to omit
verses when singing hymns…
Read Answer

Vernacular Hymns During Mass: Since 2013 we have often spoken about the perplexing practice of singing vernacular hymns all through Low Mass: even during the Gospel; even during the Canon; even singing the Lord’s Prayer in English while the priest says it in Latin; even during the Creed; and so forth. In my humble opinion, that’s an absurd way to assist at Mass. On the other hand, this was a common practice in the United States before Vatican II—and we have scanned and uploaded numerous books which prove this beyond all doubt. But just because something happened, that doesn’t make it right. I am someone who believes we must be aware of what went on in the past, even if we don’t agree with it.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: Alleluia Polyphonic Extension, Catholic Composer Cristobal de Morales, Low Mass Vernacular Hymns, Quem Terra Pontus Last Updated: September 14, 2021

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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

    Symposium Draft Schedule Released!
    Those who head over to the Symposium Website will notice the tentative schedule for 2023 has been released. This is all very exciting! Very soon, we will begin accepting applications, so please make sure you have subscribed to our mailing list. If you are subscribed, that means you'll hear announcements before anyone else. (It’s incredibly easy to subscribe to our mailing list; just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.)
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Good Friday Polyphony by L. Senfl
    The editor of the Sacred Music Magazine recently made available to the public this splendid article by our own Charles Weaver. It includes an edition of polyphony for the GOOD FRIDAY “Reproaches.” Renaissance composers often set the various offices of Holy Week; e.g. readers will probably be familiar with the beautiful TENEBRAE setting by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611). From what I can tell, Ludwig Senfl (d. 1543) was originally a Catholic priest, but eventually was seduced by Luther and ended up abandoning the sacred priesthood.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Coming Soon! • Symposium 2023
    A few weeks ago, dates were announced for Sacred Music Symposium 2023. The rehearsal videos are beginning to appear! For example, the KYRIE ELEYSON contains sections by Lassus, Victoria, and Palestrina. You can see and hear Part 1 at this link. Much more information about this wonderful conference will be released soon!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The scholar who lives only for his subject is but the fragment of a man; he lives in a shadow-world, mistaking means for ends.”

— Msgr. Ronald Knox (1888-1957)

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