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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
    About a month ago, I created a simplified keyboard accompaniment for “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”—the famous ADVENT hymn—using a melody called CROSS OF JESUS. It was soon downloaded more than 1,000 times. As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for the belovèd Epiphany hymn “Bethlehem! Of noblest cities” (O Sola Magnarum Urbium) by clicking on this link (PDF file). Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult, which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Psalm Tone Challenge!
    Many readers know that Tone 1a3 is the most difficult PSALM TONE in the 1962 books (and isn’t called for very often). But what about very short verses—which is the absolute most concise you know? The shortest PSALM TONE segment I know would be the fourth verse (PDF) from Psalm 44, used during Matins at Christmas. It’s literally one word long. If you know a more minuscule one, please email me!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The Humanists abominated the rhythmical poetry of the Middle Ages from an exaggerated enthusiasm for ancient classical forms and meters. Hymnody then received its death blow as, on the revision of the Breviary under Pope Urban VIII, the medieval rhythmical hymns were forced into more classical forms by means of so-called corrections.”

— ‘Father Clemens Blume, S.J.’

Recent Posts

  • “Puer Natus in Béthlehem” • (Added Fifths)
  • Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
  • How Does The Vatican “Rhythm” Actually Sound?
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
  • “Adeste Fideles” • Too Many Translations!

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