Views from the Choir Loft

Catholic Composer Brian J. Nelson To Appear On EWTN

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 15, 2013

RIAN J. NELSON (biography), a Catholic composer and convert to the Faith living and working in Lawrence, Kansas will appear on The Journey Home program with host Marcus Brodi on Monday, November 4 at 7pm on EWTN to discuss his journey to the Catholic Church. Originally from a Methodist and then Evangelical background, Brian was received into full communion with the Catholic Church in the Jubilee Year 2000 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition in 2011 and currently works as the Director of Sacred Liturgy and Music at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center. To date, his music is represented on two professional CDs (both widely available online):

1. Responsorial Psalms for Advent and Christmas (Nelson Music 2009)

2. Vocalise – Instrumental & Vocal Music of Brian J. Nelson (Nelson Music 2010)

Check out his website for lovely images, beautiful musical excerpts, and interesting blog posts:

* * Nelson Music Website • The official site for composer Brian J. Nelson

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

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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 spectacular feasts website. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time

You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed