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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Mass”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 14, 2020

ODAY IS THE FOURTH installment, which can also be called penultimate, meaning “second from the last.” (In Latin, the accent often falls on the penultimate syllable.) You might remember that I received a telephone call from a musician I deeply respect—from a different country—who strongly encouraged me to release my Mass settings. This ended up requiring tons more effort than I realized, and I would never undertaken such a project without his encouragement. (I generally have a very low opinion of my productions.)

Today’s release is a Mass in honor of SAINT EDMUND ARROWSMITH, an English Catholic priest who was put to death for his faith. He became a martyr approximately 20 years before another Jesuit, Saint Isaac Jogues, became a martyr.

*  PDF Download • ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENT
—Including organ accompaniment for the new ICEL “Our Father” melody.

*  PDF Download • Congregational Booklet
—Make sure to select “double sided” when printing.

You can see the other Masses I’ve released if you click here.

“Glory To God” sung SATB

In this time of Covid-19, some congregations are being encouraged not to sing. It might be worth considering singing the ARROWSMITH GLORIA as an SATB piece. If you want to do that, use this score. All my Masses use a careful—almost obsessive—control over dissonance and consonance, so they sound good SATB. Here’s an example of what I mean:


A choir which attempts this piece SATB must have great sensitivity and a strong (pure) soprano section. The piece is “free” rhythm.

SATB Training Video SOPRANO:  (VIDEO)   •   (Mp3 audio)
SATB Training Video ALTO:  (VIDEO)   •   (Mp3 audio)
SATB Training Video TENOR:  (VIDEO)   •   (Mp3 audio)
SATB Training Video BASS:  (VIDEO)   •   (Mp3 audio)

Rehearsal Videos • Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Mass

Approximately ten years ago, I created some rehearsal videos—and I’m not pleased with the results—but they’re the only ones available at this time:

KYRIE: (rehearsal video)

GLORIA: (rehearsal video)

SANCTUS: (rehearsal video)

“Mystery of Faith”—1st option: (rehearsal video)

“Mystery of Faith”—2nd option: (rehearsal video)

GREAT AMEN: (rehearsal video)

AGNUS DEI: (rehearsal video)

Here are some images of Saint Edmund Arrowsmith (d. 1628)

77333-Saint-Edmund-Arrowsmith-D
77333-Saint-Edmund-Arrowsmith-C
77333-Saint-Edmund-Arrowsmith-B
77333-Saint-Edmund-Arrowsmith-A
Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Cantor Plus Organist, Pieces For Small Choirs, Roman Missal Third Edition Last Updated: January 11, 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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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

But the revisers did not leave them altogether untouched. Saint Ambrose had to be “corrected.” The Iste confessor was greatly altered and the hymn for the Dedication of a Church, which no one ought to have touched, was in fact completely recast in a new meter.

— Father Joseph Connelly

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