Sense and Sensibility
This lesson is no less true in the realm of sacred music than it is in the realm of lovers.
“Is it not true that prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death?” —The Vatican’s chief liturgist from 2014-2021; interview with Edw. Pentin (23-Sep-2019)
Dr. Lucas Tappan is a conductor and organist whose specialty is working with children. He lives in Kansas with his wife and four children.—Read full biography (with photographs).
This lesson is no less true in the realm of sacred music than it is in the realm of lovers.
Now back in Los Angeles, Avendano hopes to found a Catholic boys choir dedicated solely to singing the Church’s music.
If we desire to educate, we should keep our end in mind—to teach children what is good, and to love that good.
A choirmaster must always be recruiting…and a summer camp is a great recruiting tool.
The parish’s new venture, the St. Rita Choral Academy, is the brainchild of Dr. Alfred Calabrese.
Most of these students, without ever having studied the Church’s documents on liturgical music, have an innate sense that our sacred mysteries require sacred music… and they WANT IT!
St. Paul’s Choir School is one of only three Catholic choir schools in the United States, and provides an approach we might call the apprenticeship method.
James Kennerley’s “rehearsal with the men and boys was brilliant as is his organ playing.”
I have heard it said that magic shows up at every concert but usually goes home disappointed.
Nevertheless, we have had, and quite frankly still have, a number of fine choirs, conductors and organists that I would place on par and even above our European brethren.
If you are interested in the great English Cathedral music tradition, please consider listening to these podcasts.
I am reminded of the care with which the Pieta was transported from the Vatican to New York City for the World’s Fair in 1964 and I hope and pray that the Westminster Cathedral Choir will be treated with as much veneration and respect.
Like the great Cathedral of Notre Dame, this daily musical offering belongs not only to the Church in London and the British Isles, but to the universal Church.
We need to remember how small the amount of yeast is that is needed to leaven the dough.
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