Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Mass Propers for Weekdays, Commons, and Saints” (1,294 pages)

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 22, 2020

T IS NOW possible to download the PDF file versions of the collections of Propers by Father Samuel Weber: Volume 2, Volume 3, and Volume 4. Dr. Horst Buchholz (Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis) has written: “I highly recommend this new English Gradual to anyone who wants to sing the proper antiphons on a regular basis and is looking for very accessible, yet most beautiful chant in the vernacular. We cannot thank Fr. Samuel Weber enough for all his hard work, a true labor of love and dedication to liturgy and the Church. I am most confident that this new Gradual will become a standard work and hopefully find a home in many parishes.”

Direct links are given in addition to those by Father David Voss:

*  PDF Download • Volume 2 (497 pages)
Entrance, Offertory and Communion Antiphons for Weekdays of the Temporal Cycle
—The link by Father David Voss is here.

*  PDF Download • Volume 3 (797 pages)
Entrance, Offertory and Communion Antiphons for The Proper and Common of Saints
—The link by Father David Voss is here.

*  PDF Download • Volume 4 (40+ pages)
For Ritual Masses
—The link by Father David Voss is here.

Additional Links:

Maestro Richard J. Clark recently wrote an article about Father Samuel Weber’s works, which highlights the fact that free organ accompaniments are available:

* PDF Download • Organ Accompaniments
—Article by Richard J. Clark.

Father Columba Kelly has published musical settings of the SACRAMENTARY PROPERS (“Spoken Propers”) that are free to download:

* URL Link • Father Columba Kelly, OSB
—Free plainsong settings by Father Columba Kelly.

In 2015, Corpus Christi Watershed published a “first look” of Volume 1 by Father Samuel Weber.

Also in 2015, Corpus Christi Watershed published an overview of Volume 1 by Father Samuel Weber.

A series on Fr. Weber’s Book of Propers:

Part 1 • Andrew Motyka

Part 2 • Richard Clark

Part 3 • Veronica Brandt

Part 4 • Fr. David Friel

Part 5 • Andrew Leung

Part 6 • Dr. Lucas Tappan

Part 7 • Jeff Ostrowski

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

“Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)

This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • 3 September

According to the MISSALE RECENS, the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great occurs on 3 September (the date Gregory became pope). Formerly, his feast was celebrated during Lent, on 12 March (the day Gregory died). In Latin, the feast is: Die 3 Septembris: S. Gregorii Magni, papæ et Ecclesiæ doctoris. you can download the Latin Introit, the Latin Offertory, as well as the Communion with gorgeous fauxbordon in English. Abbat Joseph Pothier—along with Dom André Mocquereau, Bishop Laurent Janssens, Father De Santi, and other Gregorian superstars—sang with a choir of 1,210 voices (from 36 different Roman colleges) under the direction of Monsignor Antonio Rella. That Mass included the “Alma cohors,” a special SEQUENCE for Saint Gregory…much to the dismay of those who believe in strict adherence to rubrics. The Mass on 11 April 1904 was celebrated by Pope Saint Pius X, at the great GREGORIAN CONGRESS held in Rome “to mark the 13th Centenary of the death of Saint Gregory the Great.” Someday, there’s much I’d love to say about this congress. We even have recordings (!) from it (made in 1904 by the Gramophone Company) with choirs conducted by Dom Pothier, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Janssens, Monsignor Rella, Baron Kanzler, and others.

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “7 September 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 is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed