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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

Courses In The Ward Method … This Summer!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2014

690 Ward OONER OR LATER, singers (and all musicians!) must learn how to locate the “energy” of each phrase. Without a true knowledge of phrasing, vocal lines sound heavy and boring. One of the common “traps” into which amateurs fall is placing too much emphasis on the final tone, which ought to be light.

A great way to learn proper phrasing — and much else — is to accept training in the Ward method. When I studied the Ward method in Washington D.C. I especially liked how the teacher made us perform dancing motions for the musical phrases, assuring a floating, flowing, beautiful performance.

The Catholic University of America sponsors Ward training sessions during the summer:

      * *  Ward Method Brochure — Summer 2014

Here’s how to apply online, if you don’t care for USPS:

      * *  Online Application — Summer 2014

Much valuable information about the Ward Center is here:

      * *  Centre for Ward Method Studies — An Overview

They are offering Ward I, Ward II, and the Chant Practicum (formerly known as Ward IV). The one who runs the program is Fr. Robert Skeris, one of the world’s leading scholars of Gregorian chant. This year, Amy Zuberbueler (whom I recently met in San Antonio) is one of the professors. Limited scholarship assistance is available.

AT THE CONSERVATORY, WE PIANO STUDENTS had an inside joke: “OK, why don’t you sit down and play something?” You see, guest lecturers would present all kinds of theories about phrasing, agogics, technique, and so forth — some even wrote books. But there really was no need: if they simply “sat down and played something” we could quickly discern what they knew about interpretation.

The Ward Method is remarkable because it’s been tested. Time and again, thousands of children would assemble in large churches for Ward demonstrations and sing together flawlessly. A serious chant scholar, Joseph Lennards, said that no other method could even come close to such perfection. The Ward method uses the classical Solesmes method, which was based on actual singing experience, not hypothetical possibilities.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Justine Bayard Ward Method of Singing Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“H. E. Cardinal Newman has permitted the Translator the use of all his published hymns. The hymn for Prime has never been published before, except in a little book printed by the present Translator a few years ago, and for which he obtained it from the illustrious writer. H. E. has also had the goodness to prepare the doxologies, altering with the Office, belonging to his own hymns.”

— John Crichton-Stuart (27 June 1879)

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  • A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant
  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs

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