"The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art... The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations..." (No 112, 116)
The unique tradition of liturgical music began at Corpus Christi in 1936 when the doors of its new church opened. Its pastor, the well-known New Yorker Father George Barry Ford, and his music director, William McDonald, inaugurated a pattern that has since become this small parish’s special hallmark: a full program of choral and organ music each Sunday and holyday—together with strong congregational singing—fifty-two weeks of every year.
The music draws on the inestimable riches of church music of all periods, beginning with plainchant and including modern works specially commissioned from some of America’s finest composers. The quality of music at this church is highly regarded well beyond the New York City area.
And we host a noted Early Music concert series. Click here for Music Before 1800.
Anonymous 4
In 1988 a group of parishioners formed an organization, The Friends of Liturgical Music at Corpus Christi.
A splendid example of Walter Holtkamp’s American Classic organ. Three-manual instrument with 23 stops (29 ranks of pipes).