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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

Archives for May 2017

Jeff Ostrowski · May 30, 2017

Psalm Tones Beyond A Doubt

You will want to download this PDF.

Fr. David Friel · May 28, 2017

The Sequences as Popular Works of Liturgical Creativity

A new article on the Sequences of the Roman Rite in the “Adoremus Bulletin”

Richard J. Clark · May 26, 2017

Pastorally Imperative: They are all we have.

To sing in prayer and with joy is pastorally imperative for they are all we have.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2017

Horrible Hymn Rhymes

“Anyone who sought thee, or made to thee his moan…”

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 25, 2017

Josquin Desprez • A Marian Masterpiece

Josquin surely belongs in the pantheon of history’s most important composers.

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 24, 2017

Promo Video • Upcoming FSSP Ordinations

Seven men will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood for the FSSP in North America on 26 May 2017.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 23, 2017

Rehearsal Videos • “Sanctus & Hosanna” (Guerrero)

Once upon a time, Catholic composers were trained from birth in a special art of musical composition…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 23, 2017

An Unpleasant Task

I realize it is hard, but perhaps this is the balance we are called to live—truth in charity.

Fr. David Friel · May 21, 2017

Antiphon Journal Expands Its Archives

Recent issues now available for preview through Project MUSE.

Guest Author · May 19, 2017

New Compositions Worthy Of Your Attention

A new Mass by Michael Duryea and two short works by Thomas J. Mosser.

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 19, 2017

Women Who Wear The Mantilla In Church

“At times, it’s hard because I feel as if I’m the only one in church wearing one.” —Crystalina Evert

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2017

Archbishop Sheen on Liturgy & Plainchant Choirs

“Sisters in pants distribute communion, while priests sit idle in the sanctuary. This ‘option’ results from a decay of the reverence for the Lord’s Presence.” —Fulton J. Sheen (1976)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2017

Rehearsal Videos • “Ave Sacer Christi Sanguis”

Precious few modern masterpieces exist…but this motet by Kevin Allen is one.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2017

Rehearsal Videos • Guerrero “Agnus Dei” (SSATB)

Do you understand why I only apologize once—and not twice—for the Soprano line?

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 16, 2017

Recruiting and Auditioning Choristers

The audition itself is very straight forward and usually takes about 10 minutes, although I know within the first minute if I plan to accept the child into the choir.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
    In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Lent (22 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. Traditionally, this Sunday was called ‘Passion’ Sunday. Starting in 1956, certain church leaders attempted rename both ‘Passion’ Sunday and ‘Palm’ Sunday—but it didn’t work. For example, Monsignor Frederick McManus tried to get people to call PALM SUNDAY “Second Passion Sunday”—but the faithful rejected that. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Holy Thursday, which is 2 April 2026. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more piercingly beautiful INTROIT, and I have come to absolutely love the SATB version of ‘Ubi cáritas’ we are singing (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir). I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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

Random Quote

“In everything of any importance at all, Sarum (and all other mediæval rites) was simply Roman, the rite which we still use.”

— Fr. Adrian Fortescue (1912)

Recent Posts

  • Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
  • “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
  • “Versions of the Psalter” • Jeff Interviews Top Biblical Scholar: Dr. Mark Giszczak
  • PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
  • Summer 2026 • “Gregorian Chant Course” at Aquinas College (Nashville, TN)

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