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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 · February 21, 2017

Music and the Imagination

Along the “via pulchritudinis” (the way of beauty) they will come to know Him Who is Beauty itself.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 14, 2017

Singing for Cardinal Burke’s Pontifical Low Mass

I told Cardinal Burke that is was a blessing for us to sing for the Mass and assured him of our prayers.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 8, 2017

Beauty, Music and the Sacred Liturgy

Beauty will return to the Sacred Liturgy when we once again turn our hearts to the Lord.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · January 24, 2017

Chorister Pitfalls

A misguided belief states that the quality of our liturgical music should be sacrificed on the altar of good intentions.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · January 10, 2017

When to Teach Children to Sight-Read Plainsong

Children can and should be taught Gregorian chant by hearing and repeating—but this binds them to singing only what they have memorized.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · January 3, 2017

God or Nothing

I think we can slay the current and popular belief that by making the liturgy, and by extension liturgical music, “relevant” to people we will somehow bring them back to God.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 27, 2016

A Christmas Carol

Keep the flame of the true Christmas spirit burning brightly and carol to your heart’s content.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 20, 2016

Appropriate Music for the Sacred Liturgy

It’s hard to implement a program of truly sacred music, focused on the Lord, when so many of our Masses and other services are celebrated as if God were a side note…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 13, 2016

A Late Gift for Nicholasmas

Unfortunately we live in a society in which parents can no longer allow the culture to help form their children, and in most instances are forced to fight such an un-cultural leviathan.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 6, 2016

Where Does Your Heart Lie?

If Christmas day arrives and you haven’t been to confession, your daily prayer has suffered, and you haven’t eaten supper with your family at least five nights a week during Advent, you’re in too far.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · November 22, 2016

Pastors & Church Musicians: Are We Really Working Together?

Msgr. Marini recently spoke to a group of Italian musicians as part of a choral festival.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · November 15, 2016

Seven Tips for the Organist

I also want to say “thank you” to all of you who play the organ during the sacred liturgy. We owe you a great song of gratitude!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 25, 2016

Music for the Year of Mercy

Puccini’s music allows us to glimpse the love of a Father, Who doesn’t merely sit on the 50 yard line waiting to see which side of the eternal line we die on…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 18, 2016

Music and the Formation of Our Youth

“While it is true that children can make beautiful music, it is more important that music can make beautiful children…”

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 11, 2016

Wonderful Things are Happening in Detroit!

Even more exciting were two developments I learned of while in Detroit.

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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

No concession should ever be made for the singing of the Exsultet, in whole or in part, in the vernacular.

— ‘Fr. Augustin Bea, S.J. in the years immediately before the Second Vatican Council’

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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