Views from the Choir Loft

Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022

Fr. David Friel · May 17, 2022

OUNDED in 1929 by Justine Bayard Ward (1879-1975), the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art at The Catholic University of America (CUA) has a rich history. Situated on a part of campus that adjoins the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, CUA’s music school affords its students unique opportunities for learning and performance. The school remains very active today, and it continues the legacy of its founder through the work of the International Center for Ward Method Studies.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Each summer, the International Center for Ward Method Studies offers week-long intensive courses in Gregorian chant and in the teaching of elementary school music according to the Ward Method. The Ward Method is a classical pedagogy designed for pre-K through eighth grade music classes in Catholic schools.

The dates for this year’s session are Monday, June 20 through Friday, June 24. The registration deadline is May 20, 2022.

More detailed information is available on the Ward Center’s website. Anyone with questions about this program should contact Mrs. Amy Guettler Zuberbueler, M.M.E, Director of the International Center for Ward Method Studies (click here for contact information).

The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art at CUA

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

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time

You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—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