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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Browsing Illuminated Manuscripts in Switzerland

Veronica Brandt · February 8, 2014

G is for Gaudeamus Aarau, Aargauer Kantonsbibliothek, MsWettFm 3, 86r, AD 1330-5 FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN PREPARING more for this year’s homeschool chant classes than the last few years put together. My previous post was about preparing flashcards and quizzes. Today my focus is more on the visual art side.

My husband had some posters printed to promote his drawing business at a local agricultural show. Preparing those files for the printers, I thought of all those beautiful photos of illuminated manuscripts now available on the internet under Creative Commons licences.

So, today I have been browsing the libraries, poring over descriptions in French, German and Italian, looking for pieces of music that could be relevant to the class. Here are my favourites for today:

  • Einsiedeln, Stiftsbibliothek
  • Orselina, Convento della Madonna del Sasso
  • Aarau, Aargauer Kantonsbibliothek

All from Switzerland, many, many, many miles away.

The plan is to go through a collection of chant fragments based around the mysteries of the Rosary. Here in Australia we have four school terms:

  • Term 1 largely in Lent, – sorrowful mysteries
  • Term 2 in Easter/Pentecost, – glorious mysteries
  • Term 3 Ordinary Time, – luminous mysteries
  • Term 4 leading up to Advent – joyful mysteries

And also planning to ensure everyone knows how to sing Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Gloria Patri and Salve Regina. All in 35 minutes, twice a month. Which is a little ambitious, which brings up the idea of making this available online for eager students.

Next I need some way to present recordings to the class…

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“After a discussion lasting several days, in which arguments for and against were discussed, the Council fathers came to the clear conclusion—wholly in agreement with the Council of Trent—that Latin must be retained as the language of cult in the Latin rite, although exceptional cases were possible and even welcome.”

— Alfons Cardinal Stickler, Vatican II ‘peritus’

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.