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Views from the Choir Loft

Pedagogy, propers and psalm tones

Veronica Brandt · October 5, 2013

E CAN ALWAYS PSALM TONE IT, is a common catch cry in less experienced choirs when things get difficult singing the prescribed Latin propers. Those lines of a single note repeated can look pretty attractive when faced with unusual melismas and intervals that defy our ear’s expectations.

While psalm tones are comparatively simple, understanding them is still a learned skill. There is a little theory to learn – terms like incipit, mediant and final are handy to have when explaining the tunes. Singing technique for rendering the verses in a pleasant way is important too. All this learning is good grounding for more involved chant later on.

Some of my intrepid volunteer singers keep asking for recordings. Through some crazy mix up I have two sets to showcase here today. See what you think. Would recordings like this help you? Would it be better to focus more on getting choir members reading music independently?

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Last week I went to the Psalm Tone Tool (now with Novus Ordo Latin propers too!) and generated this pdf and handed it out after Mass to some willing volunteers. Who thereupon asked for recordings. So I made recordings: Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory and Communion. (Thanks go to my mother, Teresa, for singing with me)

21st Sunday after Pentecost

This time I found some old files from last year on my computer, so here is the pdf. You may notice the Introit is not a straight psalm tone, but the antiphon has been simplified heavily. And I have left out the jubilus from the Alleluia. Here are the recordings: Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory and Communion.

These are for the Extraordinary Form or Vetus Ordo, where there is a bit of a jump between the Low Mass and a Sung Mass. The Ordinary Form has a lot more flexibility. Still the note from the Liber Brevior is worth bearing in mind:

These abridged chants are intended exclusively for churches where it is not possible to properly execute all the melodies of the Roman Gradual and for which a simple melody of the Sacred Texts is tolerated (S. C. R. N° 3697). Where there are Choirs sufficiently trained, the official Chant of the Gradual must be kept.

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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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).

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Quick Thoughts

    [Quiz] • “Do You Know Your Hymns?”
    In case you missed it, many readers have enjoyed taking this little Quiz On Hymns. In the context of that article, I included a sensational quote about the Holy Mass by Monsignor Ronald Knox. Moreover, I talk about how Abraham Lincoln's mother died, as well as a fabulous Eucharistic hymn by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • Simple “Agnus Dei” Canon
    Time flies! Back in July, I posted a PDF setting of a perfect canon by William Byrd (d. 1623) arranged as an AGNUS DEI for three voices. Last Sunday, we sang that arrangement with our volunteer choir. To hear a ‘live’ recording of it, click here (Mp3). In my humble opinion, this would be a perfect piece for a choir just beginning to experiment with polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Both of these appointments—of Cardinal Lercaro and Father Bugnini—to key positions on the Consilium made it possible for voices to be heard that could not be heard during the proceedings of the Council, and likewise silenced others.”

— Alfons Cardinal Stickler, Vatican II ‘peritus’

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