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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

Kevin Allen’s “Dómine Convértere” Sung At Saint Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City)

Jeff Ostrowski · April 13, 2022

REATEST. Usually, it’s unwise to use the word “greatest.” If I call someone the greatest violinist in the world, I make a fool of myself. If I call someone the greatest preacher in the world, I come across as dimwitted. Nevertheless, I believe Kevin Allen to be the greatest living composer of Catholic choral music. I would struggle mightily as a choir director without his oeuvre. Choirs just love to sing his music!

Saint Peter’s Basilica: The music of Kevin Allen was recently featured in Vatican City. Specifically, Mr. Allen’s Dómine Convértere was sung during a “penitential liturgy” with Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Basilica (25 March 2022). This piece comes from a collection called “Cantiones Sacrae Simplices,” which was commissioned by Corpus Christi Watershed. You can learn more at EMPORIUM KEVIN ALLEN.

Fabulous Opportunity: You can meet this marvelous composer if you attend Sacred Music Symposium 2022. That’s because Kevin Allen is a presenter this year. Here’s a live recording of my parish choir—which is made up completely of volunteer singers—singing Kevin Allen’s Si ambulávero at Mass:

An Essential Collection: That piece—Si ambulávero—is from a collection of pieces called “Matri Divinae Gratiae.” Every choirmaster should obtain this collection as quickly as possible. I could not live without this collection; my choristers just love it. Learn more at EMPORIUM KEVIN ALLEN.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Cantiones Sacrae Simplices, Composer Kevin Allen, Matri Divinae Gratiae, Si Ambulavero Last Updated: May 3, 2022

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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

    “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
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
    Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on Trinity Sunday or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. You can hear live recording from last Sunday by clicking here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To me it is a most inspiring reflection that, while empires and kingdoms have tumbled down, while language and custom of every kind have changed beyond recognition, still day by day the humblest Catholic priest in the remotest mission stands at his altar dressed in the garb of old Rome.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (8 February 1912)

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