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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for January 2022

Jeff Ostrowski · January 30, 2022

“Boston Globe” features Richard J. Clark

The music of Mæstro Clark was featured in the “Metro Section,” which has a tremendous circulation.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2022

100% Scrolling Score • “What Exactly Is Vespers?”

For those who have never experienced Vespers, an answer like that comes across as “gobbledygook.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2022

“Tonus Solemnior” • How old is it?

In the 1962 Missal, a section called “præfationes in tono solemniore” contains ornate melodies for the Preface. An article posted on the blog of the Church Music Association of America claims the tone comes from “the late 19th century” and said its elimination “is one of the very few good things which the post-Conciliar reform […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2022

“Hymns for Small Choirs” • The Season of Epiphany

Destroying the season of Epiphany was in direct disobedience to Vatican II.

Dr. Charles Weaver · January 16, 2022

The Communion of the Second Sunday after Epiphany

Today’s communion antiphon is a masterpiece of musical exegesis.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 15, 2022

OCP: “Missa Back-To-The-Future” (Not Kidding)

The musical style is totally secular; similar to what one might hear on the radio.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2022

Free Videos • “How to say the Extraordinary Form”

This was posted in 2013, but you’ll want to bookmark it.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 12, 2022

PDF Download • “Glory To God” (Three Voices)

Those who direct small choirs are always looking for great repertoire.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2022

“Soloists Vs. Full Choir” • Which Do You Prefer?

A smaller group sings for the 9:00am Mass; a large chorus sings for the 11:00am Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2022

Small Choir Repertoire: “Of The Father’s Love Begotten” (Two Voices)

My brother immediately said: “I would never use this; it’s terrible, Jeff.” — And he was correct!

Fr. David Friel · January 9, 2022

Introductory Latin Courses • Veterum Sapientia Institute

Opportunities to be immersed in Latin are still available this spring.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2022

Re: Glaring Lectionary Omission • “Setting The Record Straight”

They were: (1) Cardinal Palazzini; (2) Cardinal Stickler; (3) Cardinal Mayer; (4) Cardinal Oddi; (5) Cardinal Casaroli; (6) Cardinal Gantin; (7) Cardinal Innocenti; (8) Cardinal Ratzinger; (9) Cardinal Tomko.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2022

6 January 2022 • Quick!

A short version of the INTROIT for the feast of the Epiphany has been added to the Saint René Goupil Gregorian Chant Website.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2022

PDF Download • “Feast of the Holy Name” (Vespers Organ Accompaniment)

Only fellow choirmasters know how much work choirmasters do “behind the scenes.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 5, 2022

“A Plea to the Bishops” • By Monsignor Charles Pope

“As a pastor of souls, I wince at this sort of language directed at good Catholics…” —Monsignor Charles Pope

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Then, when the later great Germans arrived, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven—all secular composers—and tried their hands at sacred music, they set Roman Catholic words to music which in form and spirit is Protestant.”

— Sir Richard Runciman Terry (1912)

Recent Posts

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  • Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published

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