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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

My Student Singing Byrd Will Make You Weep!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 30, 2023

OW MANY READERS have—at one time or another—considered giving up the church music vocation? I suspect most choirmasters have. After all, as youngsters we work so hard at musical perfection. We learn where “Middle C” is located. We learn about key signatures. We learn about staccato, sforzando, crescendo, and molto allegro. Our parents spend their life savings to buy us an instrument, obtain sheet music for us, and pay our teachers. Later on, we must figure out how to pay our professors at the conservatory. We sound the depths of Chopin, Grieg, Beethoven, Bach, Schumann, Schubert, Liszt, Debussy, Mendelssohn, and Mozart. We spend hours memorizing music. We learn how to perform before audiences, often through painful lessons. And on and on. Then, we finally get our first church job—only to discover staff members who betray us, parishioners who belittle us, and pastors who cause us anguish through abuse or (worst of all) through indifference.

Why We Stay • One reason we don’t quit is because of the power of sacred music: Cantus Gregorianus, Marenzio, Guerrero, Palestrina, Van Nuffel, and all our favorite composers. Another reason we don’t quit is because we see the influence we have on a new generation of choirmasters, organists, and singers. A few days ago, I recorded a SANCTUS by William Byrd, a Catholic composer of the Late Renaissance. One of my students provided the other voices.

Her name is Claire, and listen to how well she sings:

M Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #40998.

Another “William” Who Composes • Another reason we don’t quit is because of the terrific colleagues we meet. One such colleague is Maestro William Fritz of CYPRIAN STUDIOS. His kindness, generosity, and humility are outstanding. Moreover, he’s a phenomenal musician, theorist, organist, and composer. He was recently selected to study privately with Sir James MacMillan, the famous Scottish composer. Maestro Fritz has written a gorgeous AGNUS DEI which will be sung for the very first time during Sacred Music Symposium 2023:

M Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #40878.

Deep Sadness: Most readers won’t click on the individual voice parts, and that makes me glum. When we post a “scandalous” liturgical video, we get 40,000 views. I wish we could get as many views for the rehearsal videos! They take forever to create. Moreover, those who fail to click on those links will miss out on downloading free PDF scores.

“BBB” (Brief Byrd Biography) • William Byrd, famous English composer, was named Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1572AD where he stayed for approximately 20 years. In 1575AD, Byrd and Tallis were jointly granted a monopoly on music printing for 21 years. Circa 1594AD, he moved with his wife and children to a small village called Stondon Massey. His ownership of Stondon Place—where he lived for the rest of his life—was contested by Joanna Shelley, causing a legal dispute lasting about 15 years. From the early 1570s onwards, Byrd became increasingly involved with Catholicism, met Father Robert Southwell (whose works are featured in the Brébeuf Hymnal), and was increasingly persecuted by the Anglicans for his adherence to Catholicism. Despite repeated citations for recusancy (and heavy fines), he died a rich man.

*  Mp3 Download • WILLIAM BYRD SANCTUS (a5)
—Recorded ‘live’ on 10 December 2023.

Live recording on 24 September 2023

Live recording on 17 September 2023.

*  Mp3 Download • SANCTUS (William Byrd)
*  Mp3 Download • BENEDICTUS (William Byrd)

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Mass For Five Voices, William Byrd Composer, William Fritz Composer Last Updated: December 23, 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

“A flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (circa 1940)

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