The Decaffeinated Choir Director: Yes, It’s Possible
Reflections on one year with no caffeine. Find out what to expect if you try it.
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Articles
Feedback: “The Lack of Charity in Your Statement Stuns Me!” • Defending the English
“Was Mr. Ostrowski ever forced to see the choir stalls he sang in as a boy demolished by iconoclasts?” — Reader from Atlanta (9/8/2022)
“Pronouncing the Responses at Mass” • Phonetic Booklet for Altar Boys (Latin Mass)
This would make a splendid gift for boys attempting to memorize the Latin Mass responses.
“British Polyphony” • The Best 55 Seconds In Music!
The paradigmatic English sonority can only be described as “haunting.” There’s nothing else quite like it.
PDF Download • “Organ Interludes—including pedals—on Plainchant Melodies” (55 pages)
Father Ould and William Sewell (organist at the Birmingham Oratory of Saint Philip Neri) produced an impressive collection.
International Gregorian Chant Conference
An Online International Gregorian Chant Conference! Eight days of great talks plus time for questions and answers.
New Release! • “Four Eucharistic Motets” (34 Pages)
Composer Richard J. Clark has set four (4) well-loved Eucharistic texts for SATB choir.
“Face-To-Face” • Card. Roche + Pope Emeritus B16
Cardinal Roche met with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on 27 August 2022.
“This Hymnal Makes My Heart Sing!” —Lauren E.
“It was compiled by priests and musicians who are authentically Catholic…” — Lauren Elizabeth
“Intriguing Quote” • Msgr. Richard J. Schuler
“The new 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑚 of Pope Paul VI is essentially the same missal that was in use from the time of the Council of Trent…” — Msgr. Richard J. Schuler
PDF Download • “Tantum Ergo” Two-Part Interlude (Manuals Only) by Flor Peeters
Including a stunningly gorgeous (and rare!) hymn by Flor Peeters.
“Did The Pope Really Say That?” • Re: Solesmes Rhythm
My response to the recent article by Professor Charles Weaver.
Heavy Crosses Borne by Choirmasters
In my 25 years as a choirmaster, I’ve witnessed hypocrisy and mistreatment that would make your head spin.
PDF Download • Mocquereau on Trochee Trouble
This can seem like a dry topic, but it actually often deals with practical issues faced by every choirmaster who wants to promote plainchant.
“New Gregorian Chant Project” • Part 2
Using this coming Sunday (12th Sunday after Pentecost) as an example.
PDF Download • Organ Accompaniment for Kyrie VIII (“Missa de Angelis”) by Jeff Ostrowski
I consider this my best organ accompaniment … I hope you like it!
“Plainsong Project Proofreading” • Please Help!
This is very much a “work in progress”…
An Incredible Summer with Wonderful Musicians
These were two joyful, yet profitable, weeks spent with a dedicated group of devout Catholics…
“New Section 2” • (Piecemeal Agnus Dei)
A wonderful way to get volunteers singing SATB polyphony immediately!
Faculty Members on Sacred Music Symposium 2022
Charles Weaver, William Fritz, Richard Clark, Jeff Ostrowski, Charlotte Lansberg, and Alfred Calabrese.