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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

Taking the easy way out, relatively speaking

Veronica Brandt · May 2, 2015

psalm tones ACK WHEN IT WAS FIRST SUGGESTED we sing the propers at Mass, we often reassured ourselves by saying that we could always psalm tone the difficult parts. This was our safety net. It was not, however, a foolproof back up plan. I have seen psalm tones done really badly. Even psalm toned propers need preparation.

One of the most useful ways to prepare is to have a printed copy written out in full. Benjamin Bloomfield’s Psalm Tone Tool is a great way to set any text to a psalm tone.

Sometimes part of the prescribed tune is actually quite easy, so you might cut and paste the easy parts together with psalm toned versions of the tricky parts. Using the same modes is a good idea.

I have kept a disorderly collection of my own rearrangements on my computer over the past few years, which may make sense only to myself. Now, seeing the beautiful work showcased here, it’s time to tidy up and make something presentable.

As a first step I have made a github repository: Easier Propers.

I know that github is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I tell you what, I’ll upload my latest efforts here.

Here is the Offertory for this Sunday (4th Sunday after Easter).

Here are the two Alleluias for next Sunday, the 5th Sunday after Easter.

Here is the Offertory for next Sunday (5th Sunday after Easter).

They are not so pretty yet, but the whole reason I am producing them is to save time! Their appearance reinforces the “near enough is good enough” mentality that brought them into being. They should be a temporary stepping stone on the way to using the Liber (Brevior or Usualis).

But since I am using command line tools to produce these files then it is entirely possible that a template could be produced to make them much easier on the eye. There are very helpful tools within github to facilitate collaboration on projects whereby this work can be shared.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Extraordinary Form 1962 Missal, Gregorian Chant, Gregorio, Latin Mass, Propers, Traditional Latin Mass Tridentine Rite 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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President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 19 October 2025, which is the 29th 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 sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Unfortunately there are few organists or singers nowadays whose knowledge of Latin is sufficient to enable them to follow easily the meaning of the liturgical texts.”

— Monsignor Charles E. Spence (18 Dec. 1952)

Recent Posts

  • “Music List” • 29th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Fulton J. Sheen + this Sunday’s “Entrance Chant”
  • Children’s Repertoire • Three More Recommendations by Keven Smith
  • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir

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