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Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Thousands of Gospel Acclamations for Organ & Voice

Guest Author · July 8, 2013

What follows is a guest article by Mæstro Jon Naples.

BACKGROUND:

Y PARISH had just adopted the Vatican II hymnal as of Advent 2011. By the following Advent I was sending organ scores to Corpus Christi Watershed for the Garnier Alleluia site. Having the new hymnal provided our church with a unique asset as it is now the only book in our pews instead of the need for supplemental books and worship aids, etc. For the organist, cantor, and choir, the musical scores to the propers chants, responsorial psalms, mass parts, and hymns are just a few clicks away for easy download.

However, at that time I could not find published organ accompaniments for many of the Alleluia tunes found in the front of the book, including the Alleluia in honor of Father Chastellain which we use on Sunday. To that I had no choice but to start composing the organ parts to play on Sunday. Of course, a new verse tune had to be newly made for the cantor each week too.

Later, during the Colloquium of 2012 in Salt Lake City, I was surprised to discover that many of the downloadable scores, and even the varied versions of the new hymnal itself, were very recently composed and edited by so few people, mainly Mr. Jeff Ostrowski, the chief editor, and several other talented people who are working like mad to keep up the supply for a never-ending demand for new scores. Eventually I was offered the opportunity to help with a number of the Garnier tunes. Contributing scores gifted me with an opportunity to help out while it provided an outlet for my favorite hobby: music composition and arranging.


FOREGROUND:

N THE ARRANGEMENTS THEMSELVES, chant-like without time signatures, I try to provide a concise three or four-part accompaniment that works on the organ and keyboard through conventional part writing. The independent lines of music forming the harmony potentially makes them adaptable for an SAT, or SATB choir should such an option ever be desired. Although I do compose the verse tones, I am not the composer of most of the Alleluia tunes themselves. As I mentioned, they were in the front of the hymnal before I got to them.

For the verse tones, I first select and retain a few stock reciting tone formulas, and then add to, or “bend” them forming melodies to accommodate the differing texts each week towards what I would assert to be music’s vital function here: illuminate the gospel text through melody with enough musical friction to fire up the final Alleluia refrain. I am loathe to give a non-directive or tepid sounding musical setting of gospel text. For me, the art in music has always been that it can incise the listener’s understanding unawares, and drive home the message to move the heart as well as the mind. (As simple and brief as these settings are).

A sample may be found here:

      * *  Gospel Acclamation for 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time


THE REQUEST:

LTHOUGH I HAVE CONTRIBUTED NOW 500+ scores (many 1000’s of downloads), it is only now becoming clear that what lies ahead is to complete the three-year cycle. Therefore, if at all possible, please post feedback (specifics if possible) about my settings on the Garnier Alleluia downloads site so that I can try and retain what is working and discard or revise or at least not repeat what does not work. Such as, why the Alleluia in Honor of Father Martin Lawrence Jenco has not been used, to my knowledge at all, while other Alleluias I arrange seem to be in constant use. They include the Alleluias in honor of Frs. Bressani, Le Caron, Dablon, Chastellain, Vimont, Lalemant, Chaumonot, and Jenco.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

“I have, on the other hand, retained several more or less traditional tunes, absolutely valueless and without merit from a musical point of view, but which seem to have become a necessity if a book is to appeal—as I hope this one will—to the varied needs of various churches.”

— A. Edmonds Tozer (1905)

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