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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Simple Pieces For Roman Catholic Church Choirs (345 Pages)

Jeff Ostrowski · February 2, 2016

802 Dethier HE FOLLOWING BOOK was sent to me this afternoon. It’s by the same “Emile Dethier” who published a book we placed in the Lalande Library. Essentially, it consists of three sections: (1) Sacred motets in unison; (2) Sacred motets for two voices; (3) Sacred motets for three voices. Organ accompaniments are provided.

    * *  SIMPLE MOTETS for Catholic Choirs (345 pages)

It was originally published in 1901 by H. Dessain—which explains why we see the name “Aloys Desmet,” who helped publish the predecessor to the Nova Organi Harmonia.

Someone described the compositions as “in the Caecilian style” and it would be hard to argue with this characterization.


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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download 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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The cemeteries are full of people who thought they were indispensable.”

— Fr. Alan Heet, OFM

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