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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

Choir Directors • “Is It Worth The Struggle?”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 23, 2022

HERE ISN’T ANY MORE TIME to “beat around the bush.” The time has arrived. At this year’s Symposium, we will be revealing all our best tricks of the trade—and sharing them generously with the participants. The topic is: How to stand in front of a volunteer choir without fear. No matter how great a musician you are—even if you can play both books of the Chopin Etudes by memory—it’s still necessary to learn the pedagogical methods which will allow you to succeed. Otherwise, you risk falling into depression and despair, because the vocation of a Catholic choirmaster is filled with difficulties.

Is It Worth It? • When we consider all the difficulties and obstacles of our vocation … is it worth it? Especially when we remember how much training is required for many of our volunteer singers … is it worth it? I think it absolutely is, because we are exposing our people to the great treasures of sacred music—and that is very cool. All of us can remember some very special pieces that made us dedicate our lives to sacred music. And now, we are allowing “ordinary” Catholics from the pews to join our choirs and fall in love with sacred music.

Jules Van Nuffel • Here is a live recording from Easter Sunday of an “Alleluia” by Monsignor Van Nuffel. We have a 100% volunteer choir, and I’m so proud of these people! Some have been singing for less than two months:

Crux Refrain • On Good Friday, we sang the plainsong Pange Lingua by Bishop Fortunatus, using an SATB refrian by Maria Quinn. Again, I am so proud of this volunteer choir; several members have been singing less than two months!

The Hymn They Love • The choir fell in love with hymn number 688 from the Brébeuf Hymnal. The title of the hymn is “O Come And Mourn With Me Awhile,” with a text by Father Frederick William Faber, an Oratorian priest like Father Uwe Lang. The tune is SAINT CROSS. We never practiced the harmonies, but because of the absolutely marvelous way the Brébeuf typesets the verses, the choir was able to sight-read the harmonies:

Interesting Translation • Monsignor Knox wrote a special translation of Salve Caput Cruentatum. It’s number 440 in the Brébeuf Hymnal, and the first line is: “O sacred head ill-usèd.” The Good Friday ceremony had been going on for three (3) hours by the time they sang this hymn, so their voices sound a little rough:

Easter Has Arrived • A very ancient Easter hymn is called Ad Cenam Agni Providi. On page 42 of the Brébeuf Hymnal, a translation is provided by Robert Campbell of Skerrington (“At the Lamb’s high feast we sing”). The bass section has some trouble with the first verse, but we’ll fix that—just give us time. I think you’ll recognize the tune:

Volunteer Polyphony? • Volunteer singers can absolutely learn to sing polyphony. Even though some of the singers have been singing in a choir for less than two months, listen to how well they do on this KYRIE ELEYSON by Philippe Verdelot:

The text is attributed (if memory serves) to Saint Bonaventure:

Philomena prævia temporis amœni,
que recessum nuntias imbris atque cæni,
dum demulces animas tuo cantu leni,
avis prædulcissima, ad me, quæso, veni.

Nightingale, harbinger of the pleasant season,
that declarest the retreat of rain and mud,
whilst thou charmest souls with thy gentle song,
bird sweeter than all, come, I pray, to me!

Later on, the Council of Trent would frown upon secular tunes being used as a Cantus Firmus.

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: Canon Jules Van Nuffel d 1953, crux fidelis, Frederick William Faber, Good Friday Reproaches, Grosser Gott, Pange Lingua Fortunatus, Philippe Verdelot Composer, Salve caput cruentatum Last Updated: April 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

    “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
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —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

The effectiveness of liturgy does not lie in experimenting with rites and altering them over and over, nor in a continuous reductionism, but solely in entering more deeply into the word of God and the mystery being celebrated. It is the presence of these two that authenticates the Church’s rites, not what some priest decides, indulging his own preferences.

— Liturgicae Instaurationes (1970)

Recent Posts

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  • “The Injustice of Traditionis Custodes” • (Private Meetings at the Vatican)

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