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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 • Haunting “Alleluia” for Ordinary and/or Extraordinary Form

Jeff Ostrowski · April 8, 2020

ANY TIMES have we mentioned “sneaking” polyphony into the Ordinary Form. Anyone who has attended the Sacred Music Symposium has heard so much, they probably got sick of hearing me talk about it! But it’s very important. If you want to learn more about “sneaking” polyphony into the Ordinary Form, click on the video contained in this article. The article speaks of a KYRIE, but the same thing can be done for the ALLELUIA. The following example by Father Cristóbal de Morales (d. 1553) was taken from one of his Magnificat settings. Use the 7th Mode (“Tone 7”) for the verses.

I want to thank the singers—Corrinne and Andrea—who recorded the tracks from Nevada and Singapore:


The PDF score and rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #78969.

This piece probably won’t “make sense” the first few times you hear it, but if you attend this year’s Sacred Music Symposium, you will understand why it was chosen and how amazing it is. That’s all I can tell you at this time.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Alleluia Polyphonic Extension Last Updated: March 23, 2022

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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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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
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The “jolly good guy” kind of pastor can be an irritant. […] Ministers of the Gospel are not used car salesmen whose heartiness is a mile wide and an inch deep. A bemused layman told me that a bishop joked with him, but turned away like a startled deer when asked an important question…

— Fr. George Rutler (7 August 2017)

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