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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

Biography • Corrinne May

Corrinne May · July 5, 2020

ORRINNE MAY holds a B.M in Songwriting from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a B.A in English Literature (Hons.) from the National University of Singapore. A native of Singapore, Corrinne moved to the U.S as a young adult in pursuit of her music studies. Upon graduation from music school, Corrinne moved to Los Angeles and started performing in coffeehouses and listening rooms throughout Southern California, amassing fans with every show. She released her first album ‘Fly Away’ in 2000. On this album were two songs, ‘Fly Away’ and ‘Same Side of the Moon’ that she sang at the Kerrville Folk Festival where she won the title of New Folk Winner in the 2001 Kerrville New Folk Music Competition. Also on the album was the song ‘If You Didn’t Love Me’ a song Corrinne co-wrote with singer-songwriter Carole Bayer Sager and legendary singer-songwriter Carole King.

*  CORRINNE MAY • Publicity Photo (A)

*  CORRINNE MAY • Publicity Photo (B)

*  CORRINNE MAY • Publicity Photo (C)

*  CORRINNE MAY • Publicity Photo (D)

Corrinne met her future husband and music producer while they were both studying at the Berklee College of Music. Together, they have collaborated on many music projects, including the production and release of 5 albums of Contemporary Pop music, which have topped the charts in her native Singapore and earned her platinum and gold records. Her music has also gained her a following in the U.S.A, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. In 2010, Corrinne was commissioned to write the National Day Theme Song for Singapore’s National Day. She sang her composition ‘Song For Singapore’ at the Padang in front of a 40,ooo strong crowd and the song was also telecast in a live broadcast to the whole nation.

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Corrinne May at Peets Coffee Tarzana
Corrinne May at Peets Coffee Tarzana

In 2015, Corrinne was commissioned by the Archdiocese of Singapore to write a song for the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. The song was commissioned as a tribute from the Catholic Church in Singapore, to the nation and to the founding father’s and the early pioneers who paved the way for modern day Singapore. Corrinne sang her composition ‘Bless Our Singapore’ at the ‘JOY SG50’ concert, following a Mass celebrated for 10,000 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Vatican envoy to Singapore, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Archbishop of Singapore William Goh and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong were all present at the celebrations. Corrinne May’s music and songs, though crafted with contemporary pop stylings, have always been inspired by her relationship with God.

A cradle Catholic, Corrinne was a church musician for 12 years in a parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles where she is based. However, it’s only been in the past three years that she has discovered the richness and heritage of her Catholic roots, especially within the liturgy of the Tridentine Mass. She has been deeply moved by the music of Gregorian chant, and the many traditional hymns that have been used within the Catholic church for hundreds of years. She is currently a choir member at an FSSP parish in Los Angeles and hopes to incorporate the richness of sacred tradition into her future songs. Corrinne is also a homeschooling mother and she hopes to teach her 11-year old daughter the beauty of her Catholic Faith and the Truth of Catholic Teachings.

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

Filed Under: Biographies Last Updated: August 14, 2023

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About Corrinne May

Corrinne May is one of Singapore’s most celebrated singer-songwriters. She is also a wife and homeschooling mother.—(Read full biography).

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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

“Of course, the Latin language presents some difficulties, and perhaps not inconsiderable ones, for the new recruits to your holy ranks. But such difficulties, as you know, should not be reckoned insuperable. This is especially true for you, who can more easily give yourselves to study, being more set apart from the business and bother of the world.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (15 August 1966)

Recent Posts

  • From Sentiment to Sacrament: Reclaiming Sacred Music for the Wedding Mass
  • 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)

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