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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 · 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.

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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…

Dr. 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.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · September 3, 2019

Let the Fun Begin

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

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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!

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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.”

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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.

Dr. 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

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”
    Although it isn’t nearly as ancient as other hymns in the plainsong repertoire, Atténde Dómine, et miserére, quía peccávimus tíbi (“Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee”) has become one of the most popular hymns for LENT—perhaps because it was included in the famous Liber Usualis of Solesmes. This musical score (PDF file) has an incredibly accurate version in English, as well as a nice version in Spanish, and also the original Latin. Although I don’t claim to have a great singing voice, this morning I recorded this rehearsal video.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (1st Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday—22 February 2026—the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the outstanding feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. I spent an enormous amount of time preparing this ORDER OF MUSIC—because the children’s choir will join us—and some of its components came out great. For example, the COMMUNION ANTIPHON with Fauxbourdon is utterly resplendent, yet still ‘Lenten’.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    2-Voice Arrangement for Lent
    Those seeking a two-voice arrangement for LENT and PASSIONTIDE should click here and scroll down. It’s based on number 775 in the Brébeuf Hymnal, with an enchanting melody written by Kevin Allen (the legendary American composer of sacred music). That text—“Pendens In Crucis Cornibus”—is often used for the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. That link is important because, in addition to the musical score, it provides free rehearsal videos for each individual voice: something volunteer choirs appreciate!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The following question is asked by the Most Reverend Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Chur: May this Diocese’s ancient custom be continued of having the Celebrant in Sung Masses (excepting more solemn Masses) intone the Credo and when he is finished reciting it going on immediately to the offertory and finishing it while the credo is being sung by the choir?” (Dubium of Dec 1909)

— 11 December 1909

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Gregorian Chant Booklet” mailed by Pope Saint Paul VI to every bishop
  • My Response Surprised A Parishioner ‘Upset’ About Latin
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • The Weekday Communions of Lent
  • PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”

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