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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 · 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?

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 4, 2016

Expect The Best—And You Will Get It

If you truly love the children of your parish, fight the elitism that says young children can’t sing, or just can’t appreciate good music.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —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

“The chapter secretary is authorized to write a letter beseeching a royal pardon for Caspar de Cuevas, cathedral sackbut player, who is imprisoned on a murder charge.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (23 March 1566)

Recent Posts

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  • New “Latin/English Missal” for the Novus Ordo
  • Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
  • Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini

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