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Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Announcement! • New Director for Saint Paul’s Choir School in Harvard Square

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 31, 2024

WOULD LIKE to share with our readership that earlier in the month St. Paul’s Choir School, Cambridge, MA, officially announced that Mr. Brandon Straub will take up the post of Director of Music for the parish and choir school beginning July 1. While I don’t know Mr. Straub personally, I have heard from those who do know him that he knows his business well and achieves amazing results. He is active both as choir trainer (adults and children) and performer, in sacred and secular settings, and was chosen from an international pool of applicants. Already this fall he will prepare the choristers to sing Mahler’s 8th Symphony with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

National Profile • As head of the only Catholic boy’s choir school in America, he will hold a position of national importance, especially in the eyes of all of those who work toward the renewal of Catholic sacred music from sea to shining sea.

*  External Link • Official Press Release (Saint Paul’s)

Constructive Criticism • At the same time, I believe it only fair to mention that the former Director of Music, Mr. James Kennerley, a much beloved figure, was unceremoniously fired before Easter 2023, with no reason being given to the public, leaving them to assume the worst. The school was forced to admit that nothing bad that had taken place; they just “went in different directions.” I’ve heard that boys and parents alike were devastated.1

Their Reputation • The choir achieved amazing heights under Mr. Kennerley’s direction, which can be heard here (the choir sings Fauré’s Requiem, among other things, under Kennerley’s direction), while the Boston Globe wrote warmly of the “pure-voiced boys of Saint Paul’s Choir School” after they performed Stranvinski’s Persephoné (prepped by Kennerley) with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the famous Tanglewood Festival Chorus.

Transitions Are Tough • I hope and pray that the choir boys will be able to work through this tough time of transition and come out all the stronger at the other end, thus enriching the Church with their unique musical gifts. We at CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED wish them and Mr. Straub all the best!

1 As someone who’s spent decades training youngsters in sacred music, I was saddened to observe that situation. For all the talk of openness, transparency, and honesty in the Church today, it sometimes seems that pastors, bishops, and leaders within our ranks offend gravely in this area. I consider every appearance of propriety to be crucial. At the same time, owing to our fallen human nature there will always be difficulties in this world—and that’s where forgiveness can play a huge role.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: May 31, 2024

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About Dr. Lucas Tappan

Dr. Lucas Tappan is a conductor and organist whose specialty is working with children. He lives in Kansas with his wife and four children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Oh, the happy choir director who is hired to start work on a brand new choir, or who walks into his first rehearsal a total stranger to the existing group—what a fortunate man he is! The new choir director who is a former member of the choir, or a member of the congregation, or the nephew of the alto soloist, or a former altar boy, or otherwise well acquainted with the choir, is in for a few headaches.”

— Paul Hume (1956)

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