Exploring ways to build a successful music program grounded in the truth and beauty of the Catholic tradition.
![Views from the Choir Loft](https://www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/themes/isaacjogues/images/redheader.jpg)
Main Content
Latest Posts
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dom_David.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
PDF Download • How to Sing Gregorian Chant Like Dom Pothier
Dom Lucien David gives a practical lesson in applying the method of Dom Pothier to a chant from the Kyriale.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/32132-INTROIT.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” — 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
I’d love to hear you sing this!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/32149-Death-Stops-Us-JPG.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
PDF Download • “Funeral Music List” (17 Pages)
What we do undeniably involves a type of “performance.”
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/07-vatican-popereaches-4.png?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
We Were Where Peter Is
Our contributor and her family are greeted by Pope Francis on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. May their faithful prayers be heard.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/32206-Corrinne-May-photo-SM.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Can I Just Say?
By Corrinne May
Many of the choristers could not read music. How were they doing this?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/68718-ver0-Head-Shot-KREAT.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Jeff Was Our Choir Director
A choir member from Jeff’s choir reflects on singing for the long-term and expresses gratitude to the Ostrowski family.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/32225-Jeff-Ostrowski-headshot-sm.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Jeff Has Left Los Angeles • “Final Communion”
We complain about the abysmal state of music in the Catholic Church—yet we ought to rejoice!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hymns-copy.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Kathleen Pluth discusses hymn writing with National Pastoral Musicians
A recent podcast interview on “Ministry Monday” (National Pastoral Musicians) with Amanda Bruce.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_9485-scaled.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
FREE • Sacred Music Symposium Books Available!
By Andrea Leal
These are packed with fascinating historical and musical information!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/32277-PERFECT-CHOIR-SOUND-jpg.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Excellent Choral Sound • “How Best Obtain This?”
Without rehearsal time, what can be done?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/32297-MJHM-k.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Mozart at Mass in Malaysia
Including a brief word about “Englishing” plain-chant.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/32304-CLOWN-sm.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
“Schmaltzy” Pipe Organ Music At Mass?
Tinctoris said: “There is no music worth hearing save that written in the last 40 years.”
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/32322-CHOIR.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
We’ve Heard From Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP!
Some believe this to be the Church’s most ancient 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 melody.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/32346-Lauda-Syon-KULER.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
“Lauda Sion” (Sequence) • Too Lengthy, Or Not?
At the end of the American Civil War, nearly 33% of all currency in circulation was counterfeit.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32363-Monks-Singing-JPEG.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Announcement! • New Director for Saint Paul’s Choir School in Harvard Square
“He’ll hold a position of national importance, especially in the eyes of those who work toward Catholic sacred music’s renewal from sea to shining sea.” —Dr. Tappan
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32383-Corrinne-MAY-JPEG.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
What Corrinne Did For Us!
A few days ago, our organization scanned and released…
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32411-Sancti-Venite.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
The Church’s Oldest Latin Eucharistic Hymn
May I tell you a secret?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32420-JHM.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Some Advice • “Recruiting Choir Members”
How does the conscientious choirmaster get this snowball rolling?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32412-Canon-915.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
(Sad & Scandalous) • Catholic Denied Holy Communion Because He Knelt
We seek to verify the name of this priest.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32448-Litany-Humility.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
PDF Download • “Saint Dunstan Hymnal” (158 pages)
How close are Anglicans to Catholics, in terms of their religious practices?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32526-VIDEO.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Choir Members Can’t Get Enough of This Piece
An English translation of “Veni Creator Spiritus.”
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32520-DUNCE2.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
ABC’s “The View” Attacks the Traditional Latin Mass
If you were arrested and charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32536-Screenshot-SM.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
PDF Download • SATB “Kyrie” for Small Choirs
This SATB setting by Father Francisco Guerrero is brief but magnificent.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32556-Conductor-Calabrese-PHOTO.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
When Dr. Calabrese Addressed Me Personally
Including a ‘live’ recording of the Church’s oldest Latin Eucharistic Hymn, which comes from a 7th-century Irish manuscript.
PDF Downloads
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32398-utilize.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
“Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” (Simplified)
A simplified keyboard accompaniment for pianists struggling to be organists.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32622-HYMNS-FOR-LOW-MASS.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
Documentation • “In the Olden Days, Was Vernacular Sung During Liturgical Services?”
Including a splendid harmonization of “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/32842-Johann-JPG.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
Singing Bach At Mass? • “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
I wouldn’t argue if somebody made the claim that Sebastian Bach was “the most musical person who ever lived.”
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/32900-medieval-pipe-organ.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
PDF Download • Simplified Accompaniment for the famous Hymn: “Praise To The Lord”
According to Monsignor Franz Stemmer, the famous hymn “Praise to the Lord” originally came from the 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘦𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘶𝘤𝘩 (1665).
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/33036-SQ.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
Near “Occasions” of Sin, Forgiveness, Psalms, Hymns, and the Artistic Temperament
Rachmaninoff never forgave Prokofiev for this, as anyone with a melancholic temperament will understand.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ccwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/33067-WEDDING-JPEG.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
PDF Download • “Wedding Sheet” (Showing Prices)
Being hired as organist or choirmaster for Catholic weddings can be stressful.