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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

PDF Download • “Cheat Sheet” for Easter Vigil

Jeff Ostrowski · April 20, 2019

WILL UNDOUBTEDLY regret doing this, but below I’ve made available the choir “cheat sheet” we are using this year for the (Pre-1955) Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Not included are pieces we do in sacred polyphony, such as the KYRIE, GLORIA, and the Communion hymn:

    * *  PDF Download • “Cheat Sheet” for EASTER VIGIL (Pre-1955)

We normally sing the full Gregorian canticles (tracts) after the Prophecies, but this year we are using Psalm Tones because we are outside.

Yes, you heard me correctly…we are outside this year!

You see, our parish has grown so large, we no longer come close to fitting inside our {temporary} church. Until we can purchase a bigger church, we are forced to conduct Holy Week services in a parking lot, underneath a tent that can accommodate 600+ people. It is absolutely remarkable to observe the devotion of these Catholics, who sometimes kneel in a parking lot for 2-3 hours so they can take part in the ancient Catholic rites. Our pastor, Fr. James Fryar, built this temporary altar by hand:

84909-altar 84911 altar 002 84911 altar 001

If anybody wins the lottery and wants to buy us a large church, please let me know!

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

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“A father cannot introduce mistrust and division among his faithful children. He cannot humiliate some by setting them against others. He cannot ostracize some of his priests. The peace and unity that the Church claims to offer to the world must first be lived within the Church. ”

— Cardinal Sarah (14 August 2021)

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