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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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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 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.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 21, 2019

Further Thoughts on Westminster Cathedral

I am reminded of the care with which the Pieta was transported from the Vatican to New York City for the World’s Fair in 1964 and I hope and pray that the Westminster Cathedral Choir will be treated with as much veneration and respect.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Catholics in America have been the heirs of a sentimental and subjective hymn tradition that, for some reason or other, has taken a deep and fast hold on the fancy of the average person.”

— Fr. Francis Brunner (1953)

Recent Posts

  • “Musicam Sacram” (5 March 1967) • Does It Apply?
  • “What Martin Luther Said…”
  • “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Worship the Lord in Holy Attire
  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”

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