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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

The Pipe Organ and Propers Flourish with Vexo and Weismann

Richard J. Clark · May 9, 2014

AST WEEK I DISCUSSED how the pipe organ often languishes in survival mode. Today, I would like to shine the light on the organ as it thrives.

Keeping the pipe organ alive takes creativity and thinking outside of the box. Furthermore, a mutually trusting relationship between pastor and musician allows sacred music to be nurtured, to grow and eventually flourish.

One such case is Russell Weismann who in recent years has had an interesting career path. He was Director of Music and Liturgy at Georgetown University. He then moved on to be the Associate Director of Music at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Recently, he was appointed Director of Music and Liturgy at Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Bethesda, Maryland. Interestingly, it is at the parish level where some truly creative partnerships are happening under Mr. Weismann’s leadership.

Recently, St. Jane de Chantel installed a new Lively Fulcher Organ of three-manuals and forty ranks which is beautifully voiced for a somewhat modest, yet bright worship space. The Lively Fulcher replaced an old Rogers electronic organ.

Mr. Weismann also appears to be an educator at heart, intent on catechizing the faithful on sacred music whether it be through inserting various articles on sacred music or a creative venture such as a recent mass for the Third Sunday of Easter in which the parish invited Johann Vexo, Choir Organist, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to play at mass as well as in concert.

But much more than a showcase of the organ, this liturgy had the full intention of implementing the ideals of Vatican II. In the program, Russell Weismann writes:

The music of today’s liturgy is inspired by the tradition of liturgical music at La Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris. In keeping with the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, the prescribed sung antiphons (propers) for the day replace generic hymns (GIRM ii; 48). The congregation is asked to fully participate in the singing of the sung responses. Organ improvisation is interspersed throughout the liturgy, evoking a sense of “Vox Dei”, the Voice of God.

The organ, ‘transcending the merely human sphere, as all music of quality does, evokes the divine. … It is capable of echoing and expressing all the experiences of human life. The manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God.” – Benedict XVI

DOWNLOAD the program: :
PDF • Third Sunday of Easter, St. Jane de Chantel Parish, Bethesda, Maryland

LISTEN to the Prelude improvisation (Johann Vexo) and Introit (6:00 into the MP3):
MP3 • Prelude – Introit

You will also see simple and singable settings of the Entrance, Offertory, and Communion antiphons. In addition, there is Weismann’s Mass in Honor of St. Ignatius, a beautifully crafted chant-based mass setting in English which is also very singable for any congregation. Then as a bonus, there is a May crowning and procession!

So, how was this mass received by the parishioners? There was standing room only at mass.

In this case, the propers and the organ thrive because of at least three elements:
• There is a mutually supportive partnership between pastor and musician.
• There is ongoing catechesis for the faithful to better understand the liturgy.
• Wonderful resources are fully taken advantage of and utilized.

F YOU ARE IN THE D.C. AREA, please attend mass at St. Jane de Chantel. You will experience a reverent and beautiful liturgy. Having had the privilege of hearing Russell Weismann play, his hymns alone are something of a seminar in organ accompaniment, varying each verse with color, harmonization and texture yet without drawing attention to itself. Seamless and fluid, the hymns are kept interesting, piquing the interest of the congregation with each verse. I suspect this is why the congregation there loves to sing so much.

For your enjoyment, here is a prelude improvisation by Organist Johann Vexo, on Les Grandes Orgues Notre-Dame-de-Paris. The great tradition of improvisation, especially in France is certainly quite adventuresome, fully embracing the awesome mystery and presence of God:

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Improvisation, Pipe Organ, Propers Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 23rd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 7 September 2025, which is the 23rd 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 alongside the official texts in Latin. My singers really enjoy singing the resplendent COMMUNION ANTIPHON with its Fauxbourdon verses.
    —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. Saint John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible.
    —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
    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

Random Quote

“It is difficult to imagine a more unjust situation than abortion, and it is very difficult to speak of obsession in a matter such as this, where we are dealing with a fundamental imperative of every good conscience—the defense of the right to life of an innocent and defenseless human being.”

— Pope St. John Paul II

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)
  • Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
  • “Music List” • 23rd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
  • “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)

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