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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

EWTN Features Catholic Choirmaster & Composer

Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2020

RIAN J. NELSON is now in his tenth year as Director of Sacred Music at the Saint Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, serving the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Kansas in gorgeous Lawrence, Kansas. Beginning under the tenure of Monsignor Vince Krische in the 1980s, St. Lawrence has become known for its commitment to strong, vibrant Liturgy and Music. Throughout its history, the center has benefited from the tradition of choral and organ scholars: KU students with significant talent and openness of heart who sing or play at Mass regularly. Center Director Fr. Mitchell Zimmerman has expanded the scholarship program to include all the major ministries at St. Lawrence, adding intellectual and spiritual components.

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Dr. Nelson oversees, trains, and develops twelve choral scholars, two organ scholars, four instrumentalists, a choral administrative scholar and a cantor scholar. His predecessors include Wolfgang Resinger, Lynn Trapp, Kevin Vogt, Marie Rubis Bauer, Lucas Tappan, and Michael Podrebarac. Mæstro Nelson’s settings of the Responsorial Psalm for the Ordinary Form of the Mass can be found at International Liturgy Publications, along with professional recordings:

*  Responsorial Psalms • Brian J. Nelson
—For the Ordinary Form, published by International Liturgy Publications.

You can also read Dr. Nelson’s full biography:

*  PDF Download • BIOGRAPHY

“From the Throne of Grace” • Click here to see Dr. Nelson rehearsing his choir in one of his own hymn compositions.

I was pleased to see that EWTN featured Dr. Nelson a few years back:

You can learn more at the KU Catholic website.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Brian Nelson Composer, St Lawrence Catholic Campus Center Last Updated: September 23, 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Eucharistic Prayer II, on account of its particular features, is more appropriately used on weekdays or in special circumstances.”

— §365 from the “General Instruction for the Roman Missal”

Recent Posts

  • “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)
  • 2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
  • PDF Download • Christmas Piece (SATB) — “Angels We Have Heard on High” with Text in Latin
  • “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
  • A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant

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