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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 December 2022

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2022

“Requiescat In Pace” • Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Let us pray for the repose of the soul of Josef Ratzinger, who did so much good for the church.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 26, 2022

“… Ripped From A Live-Feed …”

Saint John Vianney, while in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, could scarcely speak or breathe (so moved was he).

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2022

PDF • “Silent Night” Harmonization

Here’s a handy organ accompaniment (PDF) in three different key signatures: MIDDLE, HIGH, and LOW. The Latin lyrics (“Silens Nox”) are courtesy of Father Valentine Young, OFM (d. 2020). The organ harmonies are very simple, yet beautiful. Those who desire such a thing may also download a Singer’s Version. For obvious reasons, the choir will […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2022

PDF Download • “What Child Is This?” • Jeff’s Arrangement of This Carol … in Latin!

This morning I sat down and arranged what—in my view—is one of the beautiful Christmas carols.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2022

23 December 2022 • FEEDBACK

A very skilled conductor from another country—who recently posted a recording any conductor would be proud of, displaying a light, pleasant, and professional choral sound—wrote to us on 23 December 2022: “CCWatershed and the Sacred Music Symposia have made a great mark in my musical career and the sound you hear you can proudly say […]

Richard J. Clark · December 23, 2022

John G. Dunn • 1943-2022 • Requiescat In Pace

We mourn the passing of John G. Dunn (1943-2022) Director of Music and Headmaster Emeritus of the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School (currently known as Saint Paul’s Choir School in Harvard Square) The Choir School would not exist today without John Dunn’s vision, dedication, and talent.

Keven Smith · December 22, 2022

Five Tips for Saving Your Body During Christmas Liturgies

These easy techniques will help you eliminate tension so you can be at your best.

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Daniel Tucker · December 21, 2022

The Christmas Sequence: Laetabundus

“He that is the Word of the Most High God deigns to take a body unto himself; he assumes our flesh.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2022

Choirmasters • “How To Avoid Getting Fired”

Anyone who’s ever stood in front of a choir knows the choirmaster’s vocation is not an easy one.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2022

19 Dec. 2022 • “Include The Congregation?”

People often ask: “Can Gregorian Chant include the congregation?” The answer is: Yes! Listen to this Live Recording from last Sunday (which was the 4th Sunday of Advent). That is one model—not the only model—demonstrating how a congregation could be included. It’s KYRIE XVII, traditionally sung during Advent.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2022

“Can You Help?” • (Not asking for $ $ $ )

You can help us by adding yourself to our mailing list. It takes less than 5 seconds: (1) Scroll to the bottom of ANY blog article; (2) Enter your email address. It’s that simple. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment; we have no […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2022

19 Dec. 2022 • “This One Has It All”

In case you missed it, this December 10th article about Dr. Peter Wagner, who founded the GREGORIAN ACADEMY at Fribourg (Switzerland), has it all: (1) A rare download [138 pages] of Dr. Wagner’s Kyriale Accompaniment Book; (2) Biographical information about Dr. Wagner; (3) A special surprise you’ll love; (4) Courtesy of Professor Weaver, a translation […]

Patrick Williams · December 19, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Patrick’s Third Response to Jeff” (19 Dec 2022)

“The original chant handed down from the Fathers of the Church has strict rhythmic proportions and a steady beat.” —Patrick Williams

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2022

J.S. Bach “Alleluia” • Director Posts Live Recording!

Our singers really love this one…

Veronica Moreno · December 18, 2022

Young Boys Who “Play” Mass

A mother describes her son’s love for the Mass. He memorizes and recruits friends to “play Mass.” We are a people of hope.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • Communion (4th Snd. Lent)
    The COMMUNION ANTIPHON for this coming Sunday, which is the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year A), is particularly beautiful. There’s something irresistible about this tone; it’s neither happy nor sad. As always, I encourage readers to visit the flourishing feasts website, where the complete Propria Missae may be downloaded free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Good Friday Flowers
    Good Friday has a series of prayers for various parties: the pope, catechumens, pagans, heretics, schismatics, and so forth. In the old liturgical books, there was no official ‘name’ for these prayers. (This wasn’t unusual as ‘headers’ and ‘titles’ for each section is a rather modern idea.) The Missal simply instructed the priest to go to the Epistle side and begin. In the SHERBORNE MISSAL, each prayer begins with a different—utterly spectacular—flower. This PDF file shows the first few prayers. Has anyone counted the ‘initial’ drop-cap flowers in the SHERBORNE MISSAL? Surely there are more than 1,000.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (3rd Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 3rd Sunday of Lent (8 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. This feast has magnificent propers. Its stern INTROIT (“Óculi mei semper ad Dóminum”) is breathtaking, and the COMMUNION (“Qui bíberit aquam”) with its fauxbourdon verses is wonderful. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Dies Irae” • A Monstrous Translation
    It isn’t easy to determine what Alice King MacGilton hoped to accomplish with her very popular book—A Study of Latin Hymns (1918)—which continued to be reprinted in new editions for at least 34 years. This PDF file shows her attempt to translate the DIES IRAE “in the fewest words possible.” There’s a place for dynamic equivalency, but this is repugnant. In particular, look what she does to “Quærens me sedísti lassus.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Grotesque Pairing • “Passion Chorale”
    One of our rarest releases was undoubtably this PDF scan of the complete Pope Pius XII Hymnal (1959) by Father Joseph Roff, a student of Healey Willan. One of the scarcest titles in existence, this book was provided to us by Mr. Peter Meggison. Back in 2018, we scanned each page and uploaded it to our website, making it freely available to everyone. Readers are probably sick of hearing me say this, but just because we upload something that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wonderful or worthy of imitation. We upload many publications precisely because they are ‘grotesque’, interesting, or revealing. Whereas the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal had an editorial board that was careful and sensitive vis-à-vis pairing texts with tunes, the Pope Pius XII Hymnal (1959) seems to have been rather reckless in this regard. Please take a look at what they did with the PASSION CHORALE and see whether you agree.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To suggest, even loosely, that Catholics walk a more or less similar path to God as other religions drains martyrdom of its meaning. Why give up your life for Christ when other paths may get us to the same God? Such a sacrifice would be senseless.”

— Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

Recent Posts

  • Consultor to the Vatican Council Enters the Fray • (Vis-à-vis Jeff’s Pipe Organ Assertion)
  • Palm Sunday • “Repertoire for Children’s Choir”
  • PDF Download • Communion (4th Snd. Lent)
  • Most “Congregational” Hymn • (In My Experience)
  • Music is the “Humble Handmaid” of the Mass

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