Views from the Choir Loft

Epiphany Proclamation

Veronica Brandt · December 19, 2015

HEREBY ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE of the Proclamation of Moveable Feasts for 2016! You can download it here.

Many years ago (thirteen to be exact) the resident Parish Liturgical Experts gave me a manuscript to be typeset for the upcoming feast of the Epiphany. That was straightforward – the experts had done all the difficult part of arranging the words and music. I just typed it up.

In the following years, usually just after Midnight Mass, one Liturgical Expert would ask that dreaded question “Did you receive my email?” Then, on Christmas Day, I would take the words and fit them to the music to the best of my meagre ability.

It was not a thrilling job and I made sure the source code was available online for anyone else to take over from me, but still each year I was asked and each year I managed to put it together.

Then that particular Liturgical Expert passed away.

So now each Christmas I remember Mr Michael Pearce and fix up an Epiphany Proclamation, even though my local Latin Mass does not use it. Some years I have thought to let it slide only to be reminded by someone across the globe.

There is no compulsion to sing the Epiphany Proclamation or “de publicatione Festorum mobilium”. I have been told it is only for Cathedrals, but some parishes use it too. I am not a liturgical expert – I just type things up.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”

Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Equal Voices” Choir Pieces

My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski