“Dressing with care and reverence for Mass is a sign—not just to God, but to others—of our awareness of the sacred.”
Main Content
“How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”
“I don’t claim to be an authority on any of the ideas set forth in the following narrative.” —Dr. Lucas Tappan
The Tallis Scholars
This year, Sacred Music Symposium 2025 took part in “Palestrina500” at Sacred Heart in Grand Rapids.
Pope Saint Paul VI to Consilium (14 October 1968)
“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.” —Pope Saint Paul VI
August 2025 • “Colorado Sacred Music Conference”
Registration is now open!
New “Latin/English Missal” for the Novus Ordo
This English/Latin missal is being created by several priests and seminarians.
Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini
Bugnini felt his modifications were “desired by all.”
“My First Year with the Latin Mass” • A Music Director’s Perspective
“Assisting at the Traditional Latin Mass has changed me.” —Mark Haas
Boston Auxiliary Bishop: “In offering the Traditional Mass for the first time, after removing the vestments, I knelt in the back pew and wept.”
As of 4 July 2025, Bishop Reed’s post on Twitter had received 188,800 views.
Now Available! • “Hymns of Cardinal Newman: Kevin Allen’s Legendary Choral Settings”
Including a group photograph of Sacred Music Symposium 2025.
(Rehearsal Clips) • Sacred Music Symposium 2025
Even if I live a hundred years, I’ll never forget last week’s conference!
Hidden Gem: Ascendit Deus (Dalitz)
Save this delightful Ascension motet for next spring. It’s well within reach for even beginning choirs.
PDF Download • Soprano Descant — “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above”
There’s something thrilling about soprano descants!
“Dom Jausions had a skilled hand. His transcriptions are masterpieces of neatness & precision.”
A few days ago, Dominique Gatté released something quite extraordinary.
Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Palestrina
“Palestrina500” at the Vatican, with Pope Leo XIV.
PDF Download • Palestrina’s “Ave Maria”
Including rehearsal videos.
PDF Download • “2025 Booklet for Participants for the Sacred Music Symposium” — (155 pages)
We feel this conference will be one for the history books!
PDF Download • “Gospel Acclamation” for 29 June (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)
Jeff Ostrowski’s attempt to harmonize the most well-known of all Gregorian chants.
Available! • Free Rehearsal Videos for Agnus Dei “Mille Regretz” after Gombert (d. 1560)
Artificial intelligence will never replace authentic polyphony.
PDF Download • “Polyphonic Extension” (Kevin Allen) for Gloria III
I will be conducting Palestrina’s ‘Ave Maria’ as well as teaching plainsong.
PDF Download • “Text by Saint Francis of Assisi” (choral setting w/ organ: Soprano & Alto)
“I am near to end of my first year as a full-time choirmaster.” — Julie Huebner
“Participation” • Recovering its Receptive Dimension
“The goal of our active participation is not that we might shape and mold God, but that he might shape and mold us.” —Dr. Samuel Backman
“Breathtaking Photographs” • First Mass of Father Michael Caughey, FSSP (Muskegon, MI)
Our choir sang so beautifully for this special Mass!
“Re: Vigil Masses” • Reader Feedback (3 June 2025)
“This question comes up twice this month, both for Pentecost and the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul.” —Marissa R.
“The Adalbert Propers” • Six (6) Quotations
“Fewer than 1% of Catholics are able to answer these questions correctly.” —Andrea Leal
PDF Downloads
“Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
The Offertory this coming Sunday is particularly beautiful.
Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
My pastor was elevated to this basilica two weeks ago.
Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
For organ and voice, some have called this “the simplest setting ever composed.”
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
The chants have been posted!
Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
This extremely rare hymnal was published in 1959.
