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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

Archives for November 2022

Patrick Williams · November 30, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “History Matters” (30 Nov 2022)

“It is important that these melodies should be performed in the manner that they were originally conceived as works of art.” —St. Pius X

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2022

“Advent Hymn” • Composed by Flor Peeters

Peeters was organist at Malines Cathedral from 1923 until his death in 1986.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 28, 2022

28 November 2022 • FEEDBACK

“I can’t thank you enough for that four-part download of the Graduale with 5 lines. That is absolutely brilliant! Since I and another guy from the choir chant the Traditional Propers every Sunday, it has proven to be an invaluable resource. Great job of scanning it, too.” —Email received this morning from S.M.D.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 28, 2022

Photographs • Weinmann “Graduale” on 5 Lines!

They were not allowed to remove their boots, so thousands had their feet amputated (as the frostbite often turned into gangrene).

Daniel Tucker · November 27, 2022

Five Pro Tips for Amateur Choirs

Here are five pro-level tips that can help your amateur choirs to both sound more unified and feel more confident.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2022

PDF Download • “1st Sunday of Advent”

Those who accompany VESPERS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT may wish to download this draft copy. It’s the organ accompaniment I use, since my parish has Vespers (in the Extraordinary Form) with our congregation each Sunday afternoon. It looks pretty ‘junky’ but it gets the job done. Someday I hope to make a much […]

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2022

Advent Hymn Experiment

Our volunteer choir tried something I wanted to share…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 26, 2022

“Trochee Trouble” • Say What?

We have posted many articles discussing the French Vs. German way of interpreting syllabic plainsong—which some refer to as “Trochee Trouble.” Needless to say, we encourage everyone to carefully read all those articles. But some folks still don’t understand what “Trochee Trouble” is all about. Therefore, I have created this 1-Page Sheet that explains it […]

Dr. Charles Weaver · November 26, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “On the Nuance Theory of Plainchant”

A brief historical survey of free rhythm in plainchant, as practiced from the modern monastic foundation of Solesmes (1833) to the present.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2022

PDF Download • Traditional Notation Gradual-Book (692 Pages) on Five Lines!

This book makes it easy for singers who only know Treble Clef.

Richard J. Clark · November 22, 2022

Saint Cecilia and an Angel Orazio Gentileschi and Giovanni Lanfranco

Join Your Parish Choir! • Why We Sing as a Faith Community

As many parishes struggle, your presence, your voice, your witness to the love of Christ is that much more important!

Patrick Williams · November 21, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Repercussion and the Mora Vocis” (21 Nov 2022)

Patrick Williams addresses points raised by Matthew Frederes and Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2022

PDF Download • “How Does the Official Rhythm Actually Sound?”

Including three (3) professionally-scanned versions of the Kyriale, released here for the 1st time!

Veronica Brandt · November 19, 2022

Reverence: Feeling or Action?

Maybe we can agree that the Latin Mass has more external signs of reverence. Maybe that will clarify our position.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2022

Directing Choirs • “Do You Have What It Takes?”

Church music should not be boring! Here I provide eleven (11) ways to keep it awesome.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The Sacrifice is celebrated with many solemn rites, none of which should be deemed useless or superfluous. On the contrary, all of them tend to display the majesty of this august sacrifice, and to excite the faithful, when beholding these saving mysteries, to contemplate the divine things which lie concealed in the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

— Catechism of the Council of Trent (1566)

Recent Posts

  • Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”
  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
  • “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
  • The Beauty of the Propers for All Souls’ Day (and the Requiem Mass)

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