Views from the Choir Loft

Contemporary Sacred Music

Liturgica • Interview with Chris Mueller on the Release of New CD

Fr. David Friel · December 16, 2019

Mueller discusses his recently released recording of original compositions and Renaissance masterworks.

“Mass of the Americas” • Solemn Pontifical High Mass in DC

Fr. David Friel · October 24, 2019

Archbishop Cordileone will offer Mass November 16, 2019 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

“O Sanctissima” • SATB Contemporary Setting!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2017

I bet you haven’t heard this arrangement!

Resplendent Christmas Piece for Two Voices!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 22, 2016

This gem by Fr. Nicolas du Peron (d. 1963) incorporates Christmas carols in a most ingenious way.

Sensational Hymn for St. Joseph … with Modern Polyphony!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 6, 2016

We’ll be singing this piece a lot because our priest has a special devotion to St. Joseph.

From a Catholic priest…

Regarding the CCW mailing list, a priest (Father E. J.) wrote to us yesterday:

“Sometime ago, you wrote something along the lines that none of your emails are copies or merely pitches; each one is individual. I respect you so much for that. I don’t always get to read through them, but they remain in my inbox for when I have time. I can’t over estimate how much I appreciate you and your team’s work, how many times I’ve turned to CCwatershed for guidance, tips, and ideas. Unfortunately I’m not in a position to choose or direct music at my assignment. I may have said this to you once before but: I look forward to when I can. One of the first things I’d do in a parish is bring your resources aboard (gradually, of course).”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Does Gregorian Chant ever skip a 7th?

I’ve really been enjoying singing from the Père Daniel Kyriale (126 pages), which is a fabulous little book. I had no idea it would turn out so nicely—incredibly useful, and the printing is super crisp. I noticed something quite strange the other day: Kyrie X (an extremely ancient chant) contains a skip of a seventh. Sometimes that’s the result of a missing Trope, but not in this instance. (I know, because I also examined the Troped version.)

—Jeff Ostrowski

We love getting messages like this one…

“I am a 25-year-old organist and cantor from the mountains of Northern Colorado. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your friends for working hard to bring excellent content to your website and my inbox. I have found many, many awesome resources to help me stay faithful to the Church’s stance and traditions on good, beautiful sacred music at the local parishes for which I play the organ and cantor. Truly refreshing to see all the good content. Mere words fail me. I wish you could know how helpful you’ve been. I can sense your passion for this, and it’s contagious. We were able to start to implement the chanted antiphons in English, and I am more comfortable singing the traditional Latin propers at Holy Communion or Offertory. I have a tremendous appreciation for the beauty handed down by our forefathers, especially with the Extraordinary Form Mass… I wish we could have them more often, but good things are starting to happen to sacred music. Other church musicians I know and used to work with are grateful for your resources and hard work. You influence more people than you know!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Although the Mass contains much instruction for the faithful, it has nevertheless not seemed expedient to the fathers that it be celebrated everywhere in the vernacular. The holy synod commands pastors and everyone who has the care of souls to explain frequently during the celebration of the Masses, either themselves or through others, some of the things that are read in the Mass, and among other things to expound some mystery of this most Holy Sacrifice, especially on Sundays and feastdays.”

— ‘Council of Trent, XII:8 (1562)’