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Views from the Choir Loft

Richard J. Clark • Article Archive

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. He is also Chapel Organist (Saint Mary’s Chapel) at Boston College. His compositions have been performed worldwide.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Richard J. Clark · January 18, 2021

Landmark Documentary on the Renewal of Sacred Music

A documentary on the work of Paul Jerberg — one of the most important voices on sacred music in the Church today

Richard J. Clark · December 20, 2020

Announcement of Easter & the Movable Feasts • 2021 • English & Spanish

The following free downloads in English and Spanish contain dates for 2021 in the score.

Richard J. Clark · December 15, 2020

Saint Paul’s Choir School Presents “Starry Night: Christmas in Harvard Square”

A beacon of light in a dark time, the Saint Paul’s Choir of Men and Boys presents “Starry Night: Christmas in Harvard Square”

Richard J. Clark · December 11, 2020

Safety in Music is a Pro-Life Issue

Updated music protocols in the Archdiocese of Boston include multiple layers of protection: masks, ventilation, distance, time.

Richard J. Clark · October 16, 2020

Indispensable & Accessible: Fr. Samuel F. Weber Propers in English

Indispensable and accessible: these antiphons possess sublime elegance that grace the Novus Ordo Mass with simple, yet proper reverence and solemnity.

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Richard J. Clark · September 8, 2020

(Installment #7) “Catholic Hymnals” • Richard J. Clark

“Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Canticles”—the most influential post-conciliar hymnal—was never distributed by any large publisher!

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Richard J. Clark · August 7, 2020

Year of the Eucharist • Solemn Vespers with Exposition and Benediction

Solemn Vespers with Exposition and Benediction during the “Year of the Eucharist”

Richard J. Clark · July 10, 2020

The Illusion of Permanence — an Exercise in Humility

There is an illusion of permanence in the Church. We are changing often and changing right now.

Richard J. Clark · June 26, 2020

Best Practices with Current Restrictions • New Resource from Detroit

Best practices and a new antiphon project from the Archdiocese of Detroit

Richard J. Clark · June 19, 2020

Silence and The Thoughts of His Heart

Our souls are hurting and in crisis. I have no words.

Richard J. Clark · May 22, 2020

Reopening our Churches – Encouragement – Resources

As churches are working towards reopening, it is also no small change for many to concede congregational singing and choirs of any size. So many musicians have already sacrificed so much, spiritually, artistically, and economically.

Richard J. Clark · May 8, 2020

Pain, Trauma, Caution in the Choir World

Fallout from the recent NATS/ACDA webinar: A Conversation: What Do Science and Data Say About the Near Term Future of Singing.

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Richard J. Clark · April 24, 2020

If you are having a bad day, this is what it means

God ensures will blossom even harsh conditions.

Richard J. Clark · April 9, 2020

God will not be outdone in generosity.

People are hungrier than ever for the Gospel. This is a great blessing, and a turning point in our lives and ministries.

Richard J. Clark · March 28, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Richard J. Clark

“Repetition” in the Age of Streaming Masses…

Richard J. Clark · March 19, 2020

The Fruit of Silence is Prayer

The list of concerns is endless. Today, we may be given the gift of an overabundance of silence, but perhaps its fruit will reverberate for years.

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Richard J. Clark · January 31, 2020

Two Reasons for Fewer Vocations

The marketing and commercialization of sacred music has had vastly mixed results, some positive, but some deleterious.

Richard J. Clark · January 24, 2020

Liturgy is the work of Christ and His Body, the Church.

When we consider the redemptive power of the Mass, our eyes, hearts, and minds are opened wide!

Richard J. Clark · January 10, 2020

Chant, Mighty Pipe Organs • Two Sundays, Two Cathedrals

Gregorian Chant and mighty pipe organs will be front and center at two concerts: Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City.

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Richard J. Clark · December 20, 2019

Announcement of Easter & the Movable Feasts • 2020

Free download of The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts for 2020

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

19 January 2021 • Confusion over feasts

For several months, we have discussed the complicated history of the various Christmas feasts: the Baptism of the Lord, the feast of the Holy Family, the Epiphany, and so forth. During a discussion, someone questioned my assertion that in some places Christmas had been part of the Epiphany. As time went on, of course, the Epiphany came to represent only three “manifestations” (Magi, Cana, Baptism), but this is not something rigid. For example, if you look at this “Capital E” from the feast of the Epiphany circa 1350AD, you can see it portrays not three mysteries but four—including PHAGIPHANIA when Our Lord fed the 5,000. In any event, anyone who wants proof the Epiphany used to include Christmas can read this passage from Dom Prosper Guéranger.

—Jeff Ostrowski
6 January 2021 • Anglicans on Plainsong

A book published by Anglicans in 1965 has this to say about Abbat Pothier’s Editio Vaticana, the musical edition reproduced by books such as the LIBER USUALIS (Solesmes Abbey): “No performing edition of the music of the Eucharistic Psalmody can afford to ignore the evidence of the current official edition of the Latin Graduale, which is no mere reproduction of a local or partial tradition, but a CENTO resulting from an extended study and comparison of a host of manuscripts gathered from many places. Thus the musical text of the Graduale possesses a measure of authority which cannot lightly be disregarded.” They are absolutely correct.

—Jeff Ostrowski
2 January 2021 • Temptation

When I see idiotic statements made on the internet, I go nuts. When I see heretics promoted by people who should know better, I get angry. Learning to ignore such items is difficult—very difficult. I try to remember the words of Fr. Valentine Young: “Do what God places in front of you each day.” When I am honest, I don’t believe God wants me to dwell on errors and idiocy; there’s nothing I can do about that. During 2021, I will strive to do a better job following the advice of Fr. Valentine.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The following few hints on the selection of voices may be useful: (1) Reject all boys who speak roughly, or sing coarsely; (2) Choose bright, intelligent-looking boys, provided they have a good ear; they will much more readily respond to the choirmaster’s efforts than boys who possess a voice and nothing more; therefore, (3) Reject dull, sulky, or scatter-brained boys, since it is hard to say which of the three has the most demoralizing effect on his more willing companions.”

— Sir Richard Runciman Terry (1912)

Recent Posts

  • 19 January 2021 • Confusion over feasts
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  • Hidden Gem: Salvum Fac Populum Tuum (Bruckner)
  • Landmark Documentary on the Renewal of Sacred Music
  • Thou Hast Saved the Good Wine until Now

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