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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 · September 20, 2016

Problems Encountered Teaching Rhythms

Well, today I decided to buck the system (in spite of my general LOVE of tradition) and simply referred to the various notes by their Takadimi syllables.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · September 6, 2016

The Current Heresy

He was right, I spoke an unforgivable heresy—boys and girls are different.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 31, 2016

Give Yourself a Boost in the New Choral Year

The grandmother of 5 choristers informed me that one of her granddaughters told her rehearsal wasn’t long enough—it seemed to be over just as it was starting!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 23, 2016

A New Choral Year Off to the Races

If you aren’t used to working with children, it can be a bit daunting on your first day…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 16, 2016

Strive for Excellence

Let’s face facts—the English cathedral system of forming church musicians works.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · July 27, 2016

The Musical Power of the Priest in the Ordinary Form

One musical advantage for the priest celebrating the Ordinary Form is that he can play an active role leading the music, yet still celebrate Mass.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · July 19, 2016

Ad Orientem and Sacred Music

Father told me that he felt extremely awkward standing in the sanctuary for two minutes while the congregation did nothing but look at him.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · July 5, 2016

Sing the Mass

Whether your particular parishes are rich or poor, big or small, love sacred music or hate it, there is one thing that I challenge all of you to do, and that is to sing the Mass.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 30, 2016

Do My Eyes Deceive Me?

I’ve often told my choir members that before I die they will be singing from music displayed on some form of a tablet, but I never thought I’d see the Capella Sistina blazing the trail!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 28, 2016

Theology and Music

I hope and pray the Church continues to raise up true artists who will bring the Gospel to the world through the greatest of all the Church’s arts—Music.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 14, 2016

The Theology of the Organ

Let’s put the organ back on the pedestal it rightfully deserves.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 7, 2016

Choral Repertoire

I plan to do more of this in the future and I would recommend it to all others who direct any kind of church choir.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 24, 2016

Teaching the Very Young

I have received a number of emails of late from such musicians with questions regarding the musical training of the very young…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 17, 2016

Video • Most Pure Heart of Mary Schola Cantorum

Our program continues to expand, and we look forward to working with more than 60 students next year!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 10, 2016

How Do We Get the Boys to Sing?

Why is sports so popular and communal singing so undervalued?

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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

“Indeed, we may not hope for real Latin poetry any more, because Latin is now a dead language to all of us. However well a man may read, write, or even speak Latin now, it is always a foreign language to him, acquired artificially. It is no one’s mother tongue. Does a man ever write real poetry in an acquired language?”

— Rev’d Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923)

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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