Views from the Choir Loft

Choir of Sainte Marie • “THE GREAT WEEK”

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 14, 2005

You are also responsible for learning
the PALESTRINA ALLELUIA:
26561 • “Alleluia for SATB” • PDF Score (Singer)

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube
SOPRANO : YouTube
ALTO : YouTube
TENOR : YouTube
BASS : YouTube

Music list: Palm Sunday
Music list: Holy Thursday
Music List: Good Friday
Music List: Easter Sunday
Reminder: the “feasts website” is https://www.ccwatershed.org/feasts/

Holy Thursday:
call time for men & women = 6:15pm

Women must learn the fantastic Introit for Holy Thursday:
ENTRANCE CHANT SCORE • rehearsal video

Innsbruck Tune:
Men and women must learn:
O Esca Viatorum (“O Food the pilgrim needeth”)
Learn the SATB parts by using the score below.
The one marked “Innsbruck.”

Good Friday:
call time for men = 2:15pm
call time for women = 3:00pm (When the ceremony itself begins)

Men must learn:
Musical Score • rehearsal video

Innsbruck Tune # 334:
Men and women must learn:
Crux Fidelis (a.k.a. “Pange Lingua Gloriosi”)

Holy Saturday:
The full choir has no responsibilities for the Easter Vigil.
Rehearsal at the choir director’s home in Muskegon 10:30am, and “potluck” afterwards.
495 S. Getty St
Muskegon, MI 49442

Easter Sunday:
Call time = 9:00am

Full choir is responsible for learning the Easter Sunday Sequence.
The singers’ score is on page 3 of that PDF file.
You should listen to this rehearsal video.

You are also responsible for learning
the PALESTRINA ALLELUIA:
26561 • “Alleluia for SATB” • PDF Score (Singer)

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube
SOPRANO : YouTube
ALTO : YouTube
TENOR : YouTube
BASS : YouTube

You are also responsible for learning GLORIA iii:

* PDF Download • VOCALIST SCORE

Here’s the direct URL link.

Mp3 version of Gloria iii

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

New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed