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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Booklet • First Sunday of Advent Vespers (Organ Accompaniment) — Draft Copy

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2021

YSTERICALLY UGLY. Those would probably be the best words to describe the organ accompaniment booklet I cobbled together for the First Sunday of Advent. But this season is tough, because Vespers changes each week during Advent. Our entire congregation sings Vespers each Sunday. I accompany most of the ceremony on the organ, but I always make sure that at least one psalm is sung without accompaniment—so the people can hear what “pure” choral music sounds like when they make it by themselves!

This may be an ugly booklet, but it got the job done yesterday:

*  PDF Download • Vespers for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Organ Accomp.)
—This is a very ugly booklet, but it got the job done!

Strange Irony: People have commented how weird it seems that the “Extraordinary Form” communities—i.e. those who use the Missále Antíquius of 1962—are the only ones actually following what Vatican II mandated. After all, the Second Vatican Council declared: “the Latin language is to be retained by clerics in the divine office” (SC §101). And how many parishes know that? Furthermore, how many parishes realize that Vatican II solemnly declared:

“It is, moreover, fitting that the office, both in choir and in common, be sung when possible. Pastors of souls should see to it that the chief hours, especially Vespers, are celebrated in common in church on Sundays and the more solemn feasts. And the laity, too, are encouraged to recite the divine office, either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually.”
—The Second Vatican Council (SC §100)

Nerd Note: When it comes to the 2nd Psalm—remember we are speaking here of Second Vespers for the First Sunday of Advent—some folks have started adding Tone 8G* to each verse of the psalm, instead of just the very last verse. This is very confusing. Perhaps somebody who is really smart could email me and explain this? As far as I can tell, 100% of the older books have tone 8G*—but only add the “extra note” on the very last verse before the antiphon is repeated. I am speaking of books such as: Nóva órgani harmónia ad graduále júxta editiónem vaticánam (Volume VIII); Proprium De Tempore (Julius Bas); Vesperale romanum d’aprés l’édition vaticane (Dr. Peter Wagner); Vesperale Romanum (Paris, 8 dec 1912); and so forth.

What Does It Sound Like? If you want to hear what it sounds like when our parish sings Vespers, I provide a video below. If you desire to follow the video with a PDF score, click on this article; both booklets (Congregation + Organist) are provided there. When you listen to this video, remember that these are not trained singers. It’s just “regular” people from our five Sunday Masses who decide to show up on a particular day and sing:

By the way, organists can do really cool things with Vespers; e.g. here is a “Counter Melody” Video.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: 1st Sunday of Advent, Dr Peter Wagner Gregorian, First Sunday of Advent, Julius Bas Gregorian, Missale Antiquius, Organ Accompaniments, Vespers Organist Scores Last Updated: November 29, 2021

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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

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Gregorian chant is the sacred chant, proper and principal of the Roman Church. Therefore, not only can it be used in all liturgical actions, but unless there are mitigating circumstances, it is preferable to use it instead of other kinds of sacred music.”

— §16, De Musica Sacra (1958)

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