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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

Charles Weaver • Article Archive

Charles Weaver is on the faculty of the Juilliard School, and serves as organist and director of music at St. Mary’s Church in Norwalk, Connecticut. His research interests include the history of music theory and the theory of plainchant rhythm. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and four children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Charles Weaver · May 7, 2022

A Curious Rhythmic Detail in Tomorrow’s Jubilus

Occasionally the Solesmes rhythmic markings are surprising, as in one of tomorrow’s alleluias. Can we make sense of this?

Charles Weaver · January 16, 2022

The Communion of the Second Sunday after Epiphany

Today’s communion antiphon is a masterpiece of musical exegesis.

Charles Weaver · January 3, 2022

The Responsa ad dubia and the Solesmes Chant Restoration

The early history of Solesmes plainchant research provides a historical parallel for responding to current Vatican liturgical rules.

Charles Weaver · October 24, 2021

PDF Download • Commemorating Dr. Fayrfax

A massively underrated composer died 500 years ago today.

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Charles Weaver · May 25, 2021

A Summer Course in Old Notation

Announcing an opportunity for graduate-level summer study in sacred music.

Charles Weaver · March 7, 2021

Two Recent Talks on the Liturgy

Two of our authors offer thoughts about the meaning of the liturgy within the context of our daily lives.

Charles Weaver · February 24, 2021

Solmization from the Inside

What if we take medieval music pedagogy seriously? Do its methods have anything to offer us today?

Charles Weaver · January 31, 2021

A Lesson in Chant from the Late Fr. Foster

My personal encounter with him left a strong impression, which I will share here.

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Charles Weaver · October 10, 2020

“Arranging Polyphony for One Voice” • (Live Rec.)

When faced with restrictions on the size of the choir, history suggests that we can adapt music for smaller groups, including groups with only one singer.

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Charles Weaver · September 2, 2020

(Installment #4) “Catholic Hymnals” • Charles Weaver

On how tunes change over time, with a reflection on the sacred duty of hymn editors.

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Charles Weaver · August 20, 2020

Biography • Charles Weaver

Charles Weaver is on the faculty of the Juilliard School…

Charles Weaver · August 11, 2020

“Plainchant in Two Parts” • (Guest Article by a Julliard Faculty Member)

Polyphonic settings from a thirteenth-century Italian convent teach us how we might add a second part to a piece of plainchant.

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Whether celebrated with priest and people facing each other or with priest and people together facing the same direction, every Eucharist is Christ coming to meet us, gracing us with a share in his own divine life.”

— Most Rev’d Arthur J. Serratelli (1 December 2016)

Recent Posts

  • On Mistakes (Part I of II)
  • 19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”
  • “Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”
  • PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)
  • Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022

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