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Views from the Choir Loft

“From a Recent Convert” • Symposium Review

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 1, 2022

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FIRST HEARD about the Sacred Music Symposium in early 2021, at a time when many events were still suspended owing to Covid-19. After stumbling across a testimony from a participant on the Corpus Christi Watershed website, I was immediately intrigued. I made a promise to myself that as soon as Covid-19 relented enough to allow this event to take place, I would attend. In my heart, I knew how beautiful and awesome an experience it would be for me as a musician.

Spontaneous Tears: Even though I “knew” what I was in for, I was nevertheless overwhelmed by the ethereal and transcendent moments. (I was not prepared for the tears that spontaneously began streaming down my face during Vespers one evening.) As a recent convert to the Faith, the Symposium exposed the beauty of the Mass in a new light, and highlighted the importance of authentic church music.

My Father’s Death: The Symposium was a faith-deepening experience. My dad had passed away the previous week, and the Symposium brought me closer to God at a time when I needed it the most. It also united me with fellow Catholics through music and the sacred liturgy.

The Greatest Week: I would recommend this conference without hesitation. It was one of the greatest weeks of my life. I made friends and connections that will last a lifetime, and was moved to tears by the presence of the Holy Ghost among us in that beautiful church. I was inspired by the holy people surrounding me, both clergy and lay. I was blown away by the talent, brilliance, enthusiasm, and intellect of the presenters and directors. From them, I learned an immeasurable amount of information about chant and polyphony, as well as church history in relation to liturgical music.

What More Could One Ask? Truly, what more could one ask for out of a conference this side of heaven? Many thanks to Mr. Ostrowski, Mrs. Leal, the priests of Saint Vitus, and all the presenters and directors. It was truly the experience of a lifetime!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Sacred Music Symposium 2022 Last Updated: August 1, 2022

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Quick Thoughts

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The eminent theologian Suarez (who died in 1617) […] took the position that a pope would be schismatic “if he, as is his duty, would not be in full communion with the body of the Church as, for example, if he were to excommunicate the entire Church, or if he were to change all the liturgical rites of the Church that have been upheld by apostolic tradition.”

— Monsignor Klaus Gamber (1981)

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