Views from the Choir Loft

Musical Resources • Sexagesima Sunday 1

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2017

These musical programs are for FSSP.la, the new FSSP Apostolate in Los Angeles.

PROCESSIONAL

The organist will play.

ASPERGES

PDF Score (Singer) • Practice Audio (Singer) • Organist

We also add a polyphonic section, which is #4550.

INTROIT • Sung by the men.

PDF Score (Singer) • Practice Audio (Singer)

KYRIE ELEISON

We will sing #6995 (hopefully with the Christe section added).

We also know a KYRIE with three sections: #3347, #3661, and #7332.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

The GLORIA is not said from Septuagesima Sunday until Easter,
except on Maundy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and Feast days.

GRADUAL & ALLELUIA

There is no Alleluia until Easter arrives.

As always, the verses are found in our Goupil Gradual books.

CREDO IV • Alternatim

We often sing this version: #3445. But sometimes we sing in unison.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON

PDF Score (Singer)

OFFERTORY OTHER

The organist will play.

SANCTUS & HOSANNA

Choir members should be learning #6962 and #6926. Moreover, a false beginning can be used if the choir is ready for the Hosanna but not the Sanctus beginning.

We also know #3496.

AGNUS DEI

Here is the musical score. To learn this piece, visit this website and locate #2978. The words are different, but the music is the same.

Also be rehearsing #4347 by Du Fay.

COMMUNION FIRST

Organist plays as choir receives Holy Communion.

COMMUNION ADDITIONAL

“Nunc Sancte Nobis” Hymn (Newman Translation) is #7128.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON • Sung by the ladies.

PDF Score (Singer) • Practice Audio (Singer)

Accompanied from these markings, which the organist should print using a color printer.

RECESSIONAL HYMN • #904 Hail, True Victim, Life and Light

From the Campion Hymnal.

CHOIR PRAYER (from CAMPION HYMNAL) happens after attendance is taken:

Here’s the most common conclusion:

407 Christ Saves

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

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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.

—Jeff Ostrowski