• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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

  • Our Team
    • Views from the Choir Loft • “Our Team”
    • Our Editorial Policy
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

How To Sing The Gregorian Alleluia

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2014

510 Alleluia UTSIDE OF EASTERTIDE, the Alleluia is easy enough to sing. The “Alleluia” is sung, up until the asterisk. Then, the complete Alleluia is sung. The verse follows, and the “Alleluia” is repeated in its entirety.

This method creates something like this:

— ALLELUIA (1/2)
— ALLELUIA (complete)
— VERSE
— ALLELUIA (complete)

By the way, this same method is also used for the very first week of Easter (confusing, no?).

* *  However, during Eastertide, the method changes, since there’s now a Lesser Alleluia and Greater Alleluia. During Eastertide, here is the method for the 1st Alleluia (sometimes called the “Lesser Alleluia”):

LESSER ALLELUIA: Alleluia is sung up until the asterisk. Then, the entire Alleluia is repeated. Then the verse is sung.

This method creates something like this:

— ALLELUIA (1/2)
— ALLELUIA (complete)
— VERSE

And, for the 2nd Alleluia (sometimes called the “Greater Alleluia”):

GREATER ALLELUIA: Alleluia is sung all the way through. The verse is sung. The Alleluia is sung all the way through.

This method creates something like this:

— ALLELUIA (complete)
— VERSE
— ALLELUIA (complete)

If you don’t think my explanation was clear, you can read Dom Johner or the Vatican Preface. However, some people get confused by these, as the wording is not totally clear.

Incidentally, after the Second Vatican Council, the method of singing the Alleluia was changed somewhat, but it is still allowed to use the traditional method.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Greater Alleluia, Gregorian Easter Alleluia Last Updated: April 1, 2021

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    “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!”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
    Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on Trinity Sunday or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. You can hear live recording from last Sunday by clicking here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I, (Name), do declare that I do believe that there is not any Transubstantiation in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or in the elements of the bread and wine, at or after the consecration thereof by any person whatsoever.”

— ‘From England’s Anti-Catholic Oath (1673)’

Recent Posts

  • What Robert Did to My Graphics
  • “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
  • This Sunday! • Q&A “Developing a Youth Choir Program”
  • PDF Download • “Glory To God” for Congregation & Choir (Mass of Saint Noël Chabanel)
  • Gregorian Chant Introit • (Sung According to the Official Rhythm of the Catholic Church)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

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.