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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 • “Wedding Booklet” (22 pages)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 22, 2021

LEPTOMANIAC. A kleptomaniac is someone who steals constantly. Excellent choirmasters are those who steal whenever they possibly can; pilfering whatever good ideas they encounter. When I used to teach at the Sacred Music Colloquium (founded at Christendom College by Monsignor Robert Skeris, and continued by the Church Music Association of America), numerous musicians with doctorates would sign up for my classes—although I was teaching plainsong at an elementary level. I asked several: “Why are you attending these low level courses?” Each replied: “Because I want to observe how you teach beginners, and steal whatever techniques I can from you.”

I thought you might want to download a booklet I put together:

*  PDF Download • Wedding Booklet (22 pages)
—Hymns, Polyphony, Plainsong.

It’s for a Nuptial Mass this coming Saturday. There’s no pipe organ at this particular Church, so we must do only pieces which don’t require the pipe organ.

If you see anything you wish to steal … feel free!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Church Music Association of America CMAA, Kleptomaniac Choirmasters, Sacred Music Colloquium Last Updated: October 22, 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    [Quiz] • “Do You Know Your Hymns?”
    In case you missed it, many readers have enjoyed taking this little Quiz On Hymns. In the context of that article, I included a sensational quote about the Holy Mass by Monsignor Ronald Knox. Moreover, I talk about how Abraham Lincoln's mother died, as well as a fabulous Eucharistic hymn by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • Simple “Agnus Dei” Canon
    Time flies! Back in July, I posted a PDF setting of a perfect canon by William Byrd (d. 1623) arranged as an AGNUS DEI for three voices. Last Sunday, we sang that arrangement with our volunteer choir. To hear a ‘live’ recording of it, click here (Mp3). In my humble opinion, this would be a perfect piece for a choir just beginning to experiment with polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Except the psalms or canonical Scriptures of the new and old Testaments, nothing composed poetically shall be sung in church, as the holy canons command.”

— ‘Council of Braga, 563AD’

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