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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

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).

Lucas Tappan · January 22, 2020

Here is Where We Go

What is absolutely necessary for the existence of a choral foundation?

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Lucas Tappan · November 26, 2019

Colin Mawby (1936-2019)

We commend his soul to the mercy of our Heavenly Father.

Lucas Tappan · November 19, 2019

Where do we go from here?

We need to break away from simply providing music for the next Sunday’s Masses.

Lucas Tappan · November 5, 2019

If You Want to Catch All the Youth

The “Schools Singing Programme” currently serves 4,000 children each year, many from the most economically depressed areas in England…

Lucas Tappan · October 29, 2019

A Professional Choir in Six (6) Years

Support was key, but once Glenn had the necessary vision and support, the rest was a matter of putting one foot in front of the other.

Lucas Tappan · October 15, 2019

A Professional Choir in Six Months

I often wonder if some of the vitriol directed against the Church’s music is due to its less than stellar presentation.

Lucas Tappan · October 1, 2019

A *What* School ?!!

These are things a choir director needs to think about as he plans to build a successful choral foundation at his own cathedral or parish.

Lucas Tappan · September 24, 2019

So… You Can’t Visit a Choir School

Choir Schools would help to fill our parishes with congregations and choir members who would expect real sacred music sung to a high degree…

Lucas Tappan · September 19, 2019

Sense and Sensibility

This lesson is no less true in the realm of sacred music than it is in the realm of lovers.

Lucas Tappan · September 3, 2019

Let the Fun Begin

I have been searching for ways to bring more choristers into the choir…

Lucas Tappan · August 27, 2019

Mr. Pete Avendano and His Incredible Choir

Now back in Los Angeles, Avendano hopes to found a Catholic boys choir dedicated solely to singing the Church’s music.

Lucas Tappan · August 20, 2019

Five Suggestions • “Music in Our Schools”

If we desire to educate, we should keep our end in mind—to teach children what is good, and to love that good.

Lucas Tappan · August 13, 2019

Five Rules • “Successful Music Camps”

A choirmaster must always be recruiting…and a summer camp is a great recruiting tool.

Lucas Tappan · July 30, 2019

Announcing: Saint Rita Choral Academy!

The parish’s new venture, the St. Rita Choral Academy, is the brainchild of Dr. Alfred Calabrese.

Lucas Tappan · July 24, 2019

A Call to Educate Our Future Musicians

Most of these students, without ever having studied the Church’s documents on liturgical music, have an innate sense that our sacred mysteries require sacred music… and they WANT IT!

Lucas Tappan · July 9, 2019

In Support of the Choir School Tradition

St. Paul’s Choir School is one of only three Catholic choir schools in the United States, and provides an approach we might call the apprenticeship method.

Lucas Tappan · July 1, 2019

St. Paul’s Choir School Appoints New Director of Music

James Kennerley’s “rehearsal with the men and boys was brilliant as is his organ playing.”

Lucas Tappan · June 25, 2019

In Search of the Deeper Meaning

I have heard it said that magic shows up at every concert but usually goes home disappointed.

Lucas Tappan · June 18, 2019

Fr. Finn and the Catholic Choral Tradition in America

Nevertheless, we have had, and quite frankly still have, a number of fine choirs, conductors and organists that I would place on par and even above our European brethren.

Lucas Tappan · May 28, 2019

St. Mary's

St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir (Sydney, Australia)

If you are interested in the great English Cathedral music tradition, please consider listening to these podcasts.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“It is difficult to imagine a more unjust situation than abortion, and it is very difficult to speak of obsession in a matter such as this, where we are dealing with a fundamental imperative of every good conscience—the defense of the right to life of an innocent and defenseless human being.”

— Pope St. John Paul II

Recent Posts

  • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • Vol. 1
  • “Exceeded Every Expectation!” • Mr. O’Brien’s Review
  • “81 Photos” • Sacred Music Symposium 2022
  • Photograph • Dom André Mocquereau (d. 1930)
  • “I Found Myself Weeping, Almost In Disbelief…”

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