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 · 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

Richard J. Clark · November 22, 2019

New England Pueri Cantores Choral Festival and Mass • Cathedral of the Holy Cross

Find Registration and info here.

Richard J. Clark · October 18, 2019

The Tradition Continues! • Seven Organists Perform

“…every bit of carpeting was removed and replaced with marble and stone…”

Richard J. Clark · October 4, 2019

Pope Francis’ Address on Sacred Music: “Liturgy is the first ‘teacher’ of catechism.”

“Do not forget this: the liturgy is the first ‘teacher’ of catechism.” — Pope Francis

Richard J. Clark · September 27, 2019

Saint Paul’s Choir School • Open Houses

Saint Paul Choir School cordially invites you and your son to thier Open Houses and vocal auditions on the following dates:

‘German’ Introductions for Hymns

German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Buckfast Abbey Weighs In

Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)

On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Church officials frequently asked Tomás Luis de Victoria for his opinion on cathedral appointments because of his fame and knowledge. He was faithful to his position as convent organist even after his professional debut as an organist, and never accepted any extra pay for being a chapelmaster. Held in great esteem, his contract allowed him frequent travel away from the convent, and he attended Palestrina’s funeral (in Rome) in 1594.”

— ‘Dr. Robert Stevenson, 1961 (mod.)’