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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

“Easy Polyphonic Agnus Dei” • Part 2 of 3

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2021

HE OTHER DAY, I was speaking to my colleague, Keven Smith, a Curtis graduate who currently serves as choirmaster at the FSSP parish in Sacramento, California. I had decided not to record any more rehearsal videos because I’m “self conscious” when it comes to my singing voice. My feelings of inadequacy may have come from studying piano—since pianists are taught from a young age they are never good enough. 1 In any event, Keven basically told me that rehearsal videos don’t have to be perfect. He said they are valuable and I should continue making them—even though I am not pleased with my voice in the Soprano range.

I therefore offer you this rehearsal video and score. (It begins with Soprano and Alto, but at the 0:58 marker, it switches to Tenor and Bass.)

*  PDF Download • “AGNUS DEI FOR TWO VOICES”
—Based on a piece by Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599).

That piece is an excellent way to get your people singing when choirs return—because it’s only two voices, the range is not excessive, the Solfège is already added, and it just “clicks” in real life because Guerrero was a master of counterpoint.

Working with Volunteer Choirs:

The worst thing you can do during a choir rehearsal is talk a lot. The people are coming there to sing. And by singing together over and over, they will learn to blend. We have recently (2 weeks ago) been allowed to have choir rehearsals after a year of rehearsals being forbidden. In some ways, it is like starting over for me as a director. I need these choirs to sing together for a long time—and the issues with tuning, breathing, and relaxation will begin to be resolved. Below I am being venturesome. I’m releasing this live recording from our rehearsal in which we begin in unison then attempt to add parts:

Variety is the Spice of Life:

As choirmasters, we can learn from the great artists, who knew that variety was important to concert programs. These days, that notion seems lost. For instance, I once attended a concert by András Schiff in Kansas City, and the entire first half was Scarlatti Sonatas. Now, I love Scarlatti—but this was not an appropriate choice and most of the audience soon began to snore. Therefore, in our rehearsals, we do hard work—such as singing the above Agnus Dei in Solfège—but not for the entire rehearsal. We mix it up! We also sing “fun” songs, such as Brébeuf # 704 Hymn for the Ascension:

We also sing contemporary pieces. Here is an excerpt from last night’s rehearsal:

*  Mp3 Download • Richard Rice Kyrie
—“Mass of the Angels” by Richard Rice is #4781.

I also toss in other types of music, such as medieval plainson with an Ison added:

*  Mp3 Download • Gregorian Chant With Drone
—Listen carefully, and you hear one of the Bass singers hit a low D.

Update (8 June 2021):

You can hear a live recording of our first attempt at singing the Guerrero 2-voice “Agnus Dei.”


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Piano students know their octaves will never be as fast as Josef Hofmann, their thirds will never be as clean as Josef Lhevinne, their repeated notes will never be as crisp as Horowitz, their legato will never be as sumptuous as Ignaz Tiegerman, and so forth.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Francisco Guerrero Composer, Piecemeal Agnus Dei, Piecemeal Polyphony, Two Voice Polyphony Last Updated: February 26, 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “14 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 (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

I want to say one thing to you strongly, especially today: virginity for the Kingdom of God is not a “no,” it is a “yes!”

— Pope Francis (10/4/2013)

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