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Views from the Choir Loft

Keven Smith • Article Archive

Keven Smith is the music director at St. Stephen the First Martyr Catholic Church, an apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) in Sacramento, California. He trains and directs a mixed choir that sings full Gregorian propers, ordinaries, and sacred polyphony at more than 100 traditional Latin Masses per year. Keven lives in Sacramento with his wife and five musical children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Keven Smith · May 4, 2021

“Are You God?” On the Impact We Have as Church Musicians

How a small child’s innocent question underscored the significance of what we do as church musicians.

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Keven Smith · April 28, 2021

Hidden Gem: In Te, Domine, Speravi (Hassler)

This simple canon makes a great “anytime” Offertory motet for developing choirs and experienced ensembles alike.

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Keven Smith · April 12, 2021

“The Great Reset” • For Your Choir?

Consider using this time of disruption as an opportunity to make long-overdue changes in the way your choir operates.

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Keven Smith · March 29, 2021

A Short Reflection for Holy Week: On Love

May these thoughts on selfless love encourage you to persevere through Holy Week.

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Keven Smith · March 22, 2021

Hidden Gem: Crux Fidelis (attr. King John IV of Portugal)

I don’t know who really wrote this motet, but I do know it’s a soothing and highly accessible selection for Holy Week.

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Keven Smith · March 9, 2021

The Anatomy of an Organ Improvisation

Here are some audio samples from recent Masses, along with explanations of what I was thinking for each improvisation.

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Keven Smith · March 1, 2021

Three Ways to Improvise at the Organ

Don’t just play the organ. Pray the organ.

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Keven Smith · February 23, 2021

Four Reasons to Improvise at the Organ

If an ex-clarinetist can do it, you can do it—and the benefits far outweigh the effort involved.

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Keven Smith · February 16, 2021

PDF • “Spiritual Mass Plan for Church Organists”

Some guidance on how to stay recollected at a low Mass while you’re also playing organ.

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Keven Smith · February 1, 2021

Looking for a Good Lenten Devotion? Try the Seven Sorrows Rosary

Learn about the amazing promises attached to this venerable devotion.

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Keven Smith · January 25, 2021

Quick Vocal Tip: Breathe on Cutoffs

This simple breathing hack could bring new life to your choir’s sound.

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Keven Smith · January 18, 2021

Hidden Gem: Salvum Fac Populum Tuum (Bruckner)

This little-known, accessible motet could serve as your choir’s introduction to the thrilling sonic world of Anton Bruckner.

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Keven Smith · January 11, 2021

What Color Is B-Flat? Life as a Musician with Synesthesia

Musicians rely on hearing. Hearing is a sense. Synesthesia makes the senses cross over. And that’s where the fun begins….

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Keven Smith · January 4, 2021

Here’s a New Year’s Resolution: Tell Strangers What You Do

A recent encounter made me realize what can happen when we discuss church music with others.

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Keven Smith · December 28, 2020

Start the New Year Right with a Spectacular Alleluia

If you attend the Extraordinary Form, the Alleluia for the Octave of the Nativity will enable you to start the New Year with a bang.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Vespers Booklet (4th Sunday of Lent)
    The organ accompaniment booklet (24 pages) which I created for the 4th Sunday of Lent (“Lætare Sunday”) may now be downloaded, for those who desire such a thing.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Vespers Booklet, 3rd Sunday of Lent
    The organ accompaniment I created for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (“Extraordinary Form”) may now be downloaded, if anyone is interested in this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Weeping For Joy! (We Hope!)
    Listening to this Easter Alleluia—an SATB arrangement I made twenty years ago based on the work of Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel—one of our readers left this comment: “I get tears in my eyes each time I sing to this hymn.” I hope this person is weeping for joy!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Church officials frequently asked Tomás Luis de Victoria for his opinion on cathedral appointments because of his fame and knowledge. He was faithful to his position as convent organist even after his professional debut as an organist, and never accepted any extra pay for being a chapelmaster. Held in great esteem, his contract allowed him frequent travel away from the convent, and he attended Palestrina’s funeral (in Rome) in 1594.”

— ‘Dr. Robert Stevenson, 1961 (mod.)’

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