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

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Views from the Choir Loft

New! • Easy Choral Extension Mass (Ordinary Form)

Guest Author · January 3, 2017

509 Medieval Organist HAVE BEEN recently inspired by the principle of using choral extensions allowing both congregational participation and “a touch of polyphony,” as discussed in a previous post on Corpus Christi Watershed. I think it is a sound principle for those who are trying to find a balanced approach within the Ordinary Form, bring in beautiful elements of the Church’s polyphonic tradition, and increase the moments that we should have a little more reflection within the action of the Liturgy.

Practically speaking, a full polyphonic setting in the context of a regular Ordinary Form liturgy might seem a trifle long, when the action must stop to wait for it. In the heyday of sacred polyphony, and in the context of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass today, the liturgical action may continue during the choral singing of the Ordinary, with the celebrant reciting the texts at the altar sotto voce. This means that, sadly—and not intentionally—great works may be perceived to lose some of their functionality. This is where the principle of choral extensions may come in, where you still want this priceless treasure practically used in the Ordinary Form Mass.

    * *  PDF Download • MISSA MISERICODRIAE DEI (2017)

So, I have devised this Mass setting, which I’ve given the name Missa Misericordiae Dei (Mass of the Mercy of God), which incorporates the most common ICEL Roman Chants of the Kyrie, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, and Agnus Dei, with excerpts from the Missa Octavi Toni by Orlando de Lassus (for SATB). This allows for the congregation to join in with the “Chant” section of each of the parts and the choir to provide some polyphony either between or at the end of the section. I have provided the ICEL chants with a possible SATB choral harmonisation, to allow for them to be sung without organ accompaniment, as would seem to be more fitting in the penitential seasons of the year, particularly Advent and Lent. It would be, however, perfectly reasonable to ignore these harmonisations and sing the melodies in unison and break into the polyphony where it begins. The ICEL Chants are given in their English form. They could equally be sung in Latin, or any other language should that be desired or required.


We hope you enjoyed this guest article by Maestro McBain.


Nigel Lucas Silvester McBain currently serves as Director of Music and Adult Faith Formation at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mitchell, South Dakota.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
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

Random Quote

“Ways to receive Our Lord as King of the Universe…read and reflect on the Sunday Scriptures, plan your whole weekend around receiving your King, wear your best garments, spend time in quiet, kneel to receive Him, receive Him on the tongue, offer silent time of thanks after mass.”

— Most Rev. Bishop Strickland (15 December)

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