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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

Reviving a Music Program & Ryan Lynch on “Sounds from the Spires”

Richard J. Clark · January 16, 2015

UMPSTARTING A NEW CHOIR is always a challenge. Very often, a new director walks into a situation where there is a small program in need of bolstering. This may also involve igniting new programs. Doing so in a parish setting – “in the trenches” – is also very challenging. But it’s a challenge everywhere!

A glimpse into such a parish is St. Raphael’s Parish in Medford, Massachusetts where Ryan Lynch took over as Director of Music and Organist a little more than a year ago. Having no adult choir whatsoever, he also revitalized a small youth choir which now includes thirty-five children. Like many music directors, he is now teaching in the parish school, working with children from kindergarten through fifth grade. (Ryan Lynch is also very frequently heard for the Archdiocese of Boston’s televised masses on Boston Channel 7, WHDH.)

T TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OLD, Mr. Lynch is certainly part of a new generation of musicians advocating for chant and traditional music of the Church. In doing so, the choirs at St. Raphael’s Parish have grown solidly with very capable and young volunteers.

When starting a new choir from scratch, Mr. Lynch has been wise in selecting repertoire that is simple, but substantial. He has relied a great deal on Richard Rice’s Simple Choral Gradual, the Chabanel Psalms, and Andrew Motyka’s Laudate Dominum Communion Antiphons. He is also slowly introducing the simple, yet essential Gregorian Chants of the Church. An indispensable resource for this is Richard Rice’s Parish Book of Chant.

Conventional wisdom assumes that popular styles of music will attract larger congregations and choirs. However, one cannot argue with the results at St. Raphael’s Parish, especially given greatly improved congregational singing, a revived adult choir, and the large numbers in his youth choir. While exceedingly versatile in handling different musical styles, his approach in laying a foundation of traditional sacred music of the Church has yielded much fruit in a short time. (Interestingly, this is often achieved with contemporary chant and choral based compositions.) This path takes courage and support from the pastor. Fr. Kevin Toomey, clearly has his trust in Ryan’s approach.

One final ingredient to infusing life into new programs one that Ryan has in abundance: interpersonal skills. Despite his youth, he demands respect by giving it. His singers of all ages love singing with him. In short, he is another parish musician who views his life’s work as service to the Church. Good-hearted and talented people respond quite positively to this philosophy. They want to take part in this service to God and others.

ECENTLY, RYAN LYNCH had a guest appearance on “Sounds from the Spires” on on SIRIUS XM 129 Radio, The Catholic Channel. The show is hosted by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. This interview gives a bit of a glimpse for non-musicians of the daily life and challenges of a parish church musician. This was especially fitting after a busy Christmas Season!

• PODCAST • Here are some excerpts from “Sounds form the Spires” broadcast on 1.10.2015:

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Catholic Youth Choirs Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

“The chapter decides that henceforth neither singers nor instrumentalists may be loaned to any outside individual or organization, any more than can the chalices or copes owned by the cathedral. This prohibition applies to all those days of the church calendar for which polyphony is designated.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (13 June 1561)

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