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Views from the Choir Loft

“Lauda Sion” (Sequence) • Too Lengthy, Or Not?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 1, 2024

Y THE END of the American Civil War, nearly 33% (!) of United States currency in circulation was counterfeit. Many shops and businesses had no choice but to accept the false money. As a result, the SECRET SERVICE was established in 1865 with a mandate to suppress counterfeit money. In my seminar, Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster, I discuss choir directors who feel depressed about their job. Sometimes, it can feel as though very little progress is being made. Listening to recordings by one’s choir can be disheartening if one compares it to professional choirs like the TENEBRAE ENSEMBLE founded by Nigel Short. Some directors can feel as if they are “counterfeit.”

The Solution • During my seminar, I propose that such depression can be fought by remembering what we’re doing on a fundamental level: viz. teaching parishioners sacred music. As long as you’re doing that, you’re doing something good. [In particular, my comments are directed to a correspondent who expressed concern that his choir would “never” be able to sing the LAUDA SYON due to its enormous length and complexity.] Sometimes we must take a deep breath and remind ourselves what we’re doing. We’re not in competition with the world’s greatest choirs. Rather, we’re teaching parishioners how to sing and pray sacred music at Mass. Period.

Feast of Corpus Christi • On the feast of Corpus Christi, my volunteer choir sang the “Lauda Syon” Sequence by Saint Thomas Aquinas. I’m not saying it was perfect, but I was so proud of how they sang it, because it’s incredibly lengthy. My favorite part is the “AMEN,” sung by just the women. Here’s the ‘live’ recording from 30 May 2024:

Here’s the direct URL link.

*  PDF Download • NINE ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENTS
—Included in an article Jeff published on 2 June 2021.

Preparation • For many weeks, we prepared by discussing the meaning of its lyrics. In particular, we examined other Eucharistic texts found in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal, especially the marvelous Eucharistic hymns by Saint Robert Southwell. On 9 April 1964, POPE SAINT PAUL VI told a group of French pilgrims who taught Gregorian Chant that plainsong was not (!) in danger of being eliminated, and even cited to them specific decrees from the Second Vatican Council. On 15 August 1966, POPE SAINT PAUL VI wrote a letter to monks, reminding them they were obligated to pray the Divine Office in Latin. He wrote: “The traditions of the elders, your glory throughout long ages, must not be belittled. Indeed, your manner of celebrating the choral office [in Latin] has been one of the chief reasons why these families of yours have lasted so long, and happily increased.” As we know, that’s not how things turned out. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work!

U.S. Marshal • After Mass on the feast of Corpus Christi, I was approached by one of my choir members. This particular man is a U.S. Marshal, a father of many children, husband to a wonderful wife, and a very successful person. He’d never had any musical training, but I recruited him for our choir anyway. He pulled me aside and looked me in the eye, saying:

“Jeff, I want you to know you’re the greatest teacher I’ve ever had in my entire life—and I don’t say that lightly.”

I was deeply moved, and emailed him later that night to express my gratitude. He replied: “It’s true, Jeff. I might be the only one to say it, but more people feel the same way.”

Conclusion • To my fellow choir directors, therefore, allow me to encourage you! If you ever feel despondent—or if you feel your choir isn’t making much progress—know that so long as you’re teaching parishioners sacred music, you are doing what God wants. Full stop.

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Father Robert Southwell, Gregorian Chant Not In Any Danger Paul VI Tells French, Lauda Sion Salvatorem, Lauda Syon Sequence, Saint Robert Southwell, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Sequence for Corpus Christi Last Updated: June 1, 2024

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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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
    I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The chapter orders that only grandees (and their immediate relatives), counts, marquises, and provincial governors may in future enter the choir enclosure during divine service: such a restriction being imposed so that quiet can be the better maintained during cathedral solemnities.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (25 May 1558)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.

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