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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

Hymn Experiment • “Does This Work?”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 13, 2023

N AN INTERNET FORUM a few weeks ago, the editor of a Catholic hymnal was bragging about his product. In particular, the editor was bragging about SATB voice settings in his book. Please don’t ask me the person’s name; I’m not going to reveal that. One of the members asked him a straightforward question: “How are the singers supposed to sing the final verse in harmony?” [The hymnal in question was the type of book that had final verses printed at the bottom.] The editor’s response was: “Let me do some research, and I’ll get back to you.”

Cringeworthy Situation • I suppose each of us has a pet peeve. Mine is when church music products are produced (and sold) by individuals with no real-life experience. Think of it! This person was bragging about his harmonies—but he’d never seen how this stuff works in real life. To him, it was like a game, or (as my dad would say) it was “academic.” When asked the most elementary question, he was totally stumped. If memory serves, his exact words were: “Gee, I never thought about that before.” The situation was truly cringeworthy. Sadly, many who produce choral music scores have never stood in front of a choir in real life.

A Better Solution • Our choirs use the Brébeuf Hymnal because the SATB choral supplement deliberately and meticulously notates each verse in a brilliant and powerful way. It gives both conductor and organist mind-blowing freedom … and once you experience it, you’ll never look back.

Hymn Experiment • Because of this freedom, we were able to try an experiment the other day. We sang the first half of each stanza in unison, then added SATB voice parts at the halfway mark. What do you think?

M To access this hymn’s media in the Brébeuf Portal, click here.

For the sake of comparison, here’s the same hymn sung in a more “conventional” manner:

Epiphany Hymn In Latin • I’ve mentioned in the past a project I’m engaged in: viz. creating “Latin versions” for hymns in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal. I’ve created many of these, but I need to find an organized way to add them to the website. These are designed for choirs forbidden to sing in English. Here’s my recent setting of Hostis Herodes Impie, by the fifth-century poet Sedulius:

*  PDF Download • Brébeuf Extension for Number 17
—Please Note: These are different harmonies than what is found in the Brébeuf Hymnal

I could write volumes and volumes about this ancient hymn. Suffice it to say that it’s very famous. (It’s a perfect fit for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.)

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Baptism of the Lord, Brebeuf Extension Series, SATB Hymn Epiphany, SATB voice parts, Sedulius Epiphany Hymn Last Updated: January 28, 2023

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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

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —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
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And, without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.”

— Pope John Paul II (1979)

Recent Posts

  • The Real Miracle of Gregorian Chant
  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

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