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.”
Examples of comments we recently received, from all over the globe: (1) “The Byrd composition your student sung was certainly beautiful. I cannot say how thankful I am for all that CCWATERSHED does in the world of sacred music. The videos, and recorded audios and newsletters are wonderful and beautiful. When you said that […]
Too many priests are ignorant of the glories of authentic sacred music.
To recruit, teach, inspire, and retain volunteer choir members is no easy task!
The current situation is heartbreaking.
As late as 1924, Dom Mocquereau mentioned Dom Desrocquettes “whose beautiful and discreet accompaniments I hear every day at Solesmes.”
Today we release polyphony by two composers: William Byrd and William Fritz.
How dare we—who are so sinful—how dare we receive our Lord?
Sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
My choir will definitely be using these settings. They’re something many have begged for!
A reader wrote to us about the MELCOMBE HYMN ARTICLE (whose official title was: 1950s Catholicism: Do We Want It Back?) with these kind words: “I so wish there was a CD of your choir. The Introit the other day stays with me all day!”
“I have found, to my astonishment, that Catholics…in their principal churches, do not to this day possess even one Mass setting even tolerably good, or which is not actually distasteful and operatic.” —Felix Mendelssohn (1835)
The draft booklet (320 pages) which will—in a gorgeous hard-copy—be given to participants at the Sacred Music Symposium has been released. If you see any typos, please let me know ASAP. Thank you!
I will never forget standing in that green room, waiting to go on stage.
I got this (personal) message from a choir member. I know we usually avoid sharing personal items, but hopefully this exception is warranted: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, I read your recent article, “I Came From Somewhere.” I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for all that you do. I appreciate your sentiments and your work to […]
Including a haunting hymn by Flor Peeters for Eastertide.
