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Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Dr. Tappan • Article Archive

Dr. Lucas Tappan is a conductor and organist whose specialty is working with children. He lives in Kansas with his wife and four children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 4, 2016

Expect The Best—And You Will Get It

If you truly love the children of your parish, fight the elitism that says young children can’t sing, or just can’t appreciate good music.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 26, 2016

The Devil Gets in the Details

Just remember to laugh, thank the Good Lord and keep your coffee off of the piano!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 19, 2016

Spring Concert • Most Pure Heart of Mary Schola Cantorum

Your are invited to the MPHM Schola Cantorum’s Spring Concert!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 5, 2016

A Musically Model Parish

I thought I would share some visioning ideas regarding music in the Ordinary Form parish.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · March 15, 2016

St. Paul’s Choir School

I would like to share with you an incredible place where such a musician had a great vision, informed by the mind and heart of the Church.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · March 8, 2016

They Lied To Me In Grad School

No matter what anyone else thinks, strive for greatness and never look back!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · March 1, 2016

Choir and Cantor?

Please, let the choir lead!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 16, 2016

Dorothy Sayers and the Lost Tools of Learning

We will never inspire a new generation of great Catholic musicians, so sorely needed at this time, if we don’t open their eyes to the “Lost Tools of Learning Music” and point them to the One to Whose praises we hope to sing for ever in the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 9, 2016

Chorister Vocal Pedagogy

I hope this might serve as a foundation for your future work with young singers in your parish.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 5, 2016

Candles for Candlemas

A light of Revelation to the Gentiles!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · January 27, 2016

Most Pure Heart Schola Cantorum in Rome (Part 2)

Watch the debut of Colin Mawby’s “Ave Maria” in Rome.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · January 20, 2016

Most Pure Heart Schola Cantorum … in Rome!

The greatest gift was to be in Rome during the Holy Year of Mercy!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 2, 2015

Sir Colin Mawby Composes Special “Ave Maria” For Kansas Choristers

Mr. Mawby emailed me two weeks after sending the music, saying he’d already purchased his plane ticket and would see us in Rome!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · November 10, 2015

Don’t Fall For It

“God has no grandchildren. Every generation must be a first generation follower of Christ.”

Dr. Lucas Tappan · November 3, 2015

My Personal Lesson Plan for Training Probationers

Here is the entire set of lesson plans I use for training our Probationers.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The Humanists abominated the rhythmical poetry of the Middle Ages from an exaggerated enthusiasm for ancient classical forms and meters. Hymnody then received its death blow as, on the revision of the Breviary under Pope Urban VIII, the medieval rhythmical hymns were forced into more classical forms by means of so-called corrections.”

— Father Clemens Blume, S.J.

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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