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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

“Colorado Sacred Music Conference” (2024)

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 4, 2024

OW FAR CAN YOU take your parish’s music program? Building on the success of last year’s conference, Colorado Sacred Music Conference (2024) will continue to explore ways of building a successful music program grounded in the truth and beauty of the Catholic tradition. This year, we’re excited to welcome acclaimed composer KEVIN ALLEN, who will share with us his philosophy on church music. Kevin will focus his discussion on sacred polyphony: why it’s uniquely suited to the liturgy, and how we can incorporate it into our own music programs. The conference will include a Mass on both days, along with rehearsal time to provide the music for the sacred liturgy.

*  Colorado Sacred Music Conference
9905 Foothills Canyon Blvd.
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
7-8 August 2024

To learn more and register today, click this link.

Highlights

(1) Sacred Polyphony • Learn the role of polyphony in the treasury of the Church’s sacred music, how to sing it effectively, and how to (gradually) incorporate into your music program.
(2) Two beautiful sung Masses that include practical resources for English Propers and chanting the Mass Ordinary.
(3) Practical instruction on rehearsal techniques, improving the sound of your choir, and tips for programming music based on your singers abilities while being faithful to the Church’s expectations.
(4) Breakout Sessions • Kevin Allen will offer two sessions on composition, and our organists will offer two organ sessions (beginner and advanced).
(5) Expanded Clergy Track • A special track for clergy will include instruction in singing the Mass dialogues, how to introduce better music to your parish, and building strong relationships between pastors and musicians. Learn more about the Clergy Track.
(6) A valuable panel discussion involving faculty and clergy to answer relevant questions of participants.

2024 Faculty

Kevin Allen is highly regarded as a composer of opera, chamber, and orchestral music. He has also developed a unique reputation as a composer of church music for the Roman Rite. Mr. Allen’s works, sacred and secular, have been performed in churches and concert halls throughout the United States and Europe. Founding director of the Collins Consort, the American Composer’s Project, and the Schola Immaculata, Mr. Allen serves as choirmaster of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Chicago.

Diana Corliss has largely focused on sacred music, choral conducting, and voice instruction. In her current position, she has developed a music program that is faithful to the Church’s tradition while remaining approachable and sensitive to the pastoral needs of the parish. She currently directs two ensembles, the Choir of Saint Mark and the Saint Mark Chamber Choir. Also an active composer and arranger, holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.

Charles Nolen currently serves as the Director of Sacred Music and Organist at Saint John Vianney Seminary as well as Specialist In Liturgical Music for the Archdiocese of Denver. Dr. Nolen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Rhodes College, a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Memphis, and a Doctorate in Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation. Charles lives with his wife and three teenagers in South Aurora.

Heather Monagle serves as organist at Saint Mark Catholic Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Patrick Torsell serves as associate organist for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church (Littleton, Colorado) and plays occasionally at the CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. In the past, he has directed many choirs. Patrick cherishes his family life with his wife, Elizabeth, and his two beloved children.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Colorado Sacred Music Conference Last Updated: July 6, 2024

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President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —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

“It will not be Rome to tell you what you should do, no: because you have the charism. …you have the Holy Spirit for this. If Rome were to begin to make the decisions it would be a blow to the Holy Spirit, who works in the particular Churches.”

— Pope Francis (27 March 2023)

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  • Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini

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