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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

Josquin Des Prez Was A Vandal • (Not Kidding)

Jeff Ostrowski · February 15, 2024

OW COULD I EVER FORGET an incident that took place twenty years ago? While studying musicology at the graduate level, one of my professors burst into the classroom more excited than I’d ever seen her. She practically yelled to our class: “Josquin was a vandal.” You see, there had just been a discovery made. Somebody at the Vatican knocked down a wall in the choir loft revealing a wooden pew. Centuries ago, papal singers had vandalized this pew, carving their names with a knife. One vandal turned out to be none other than JOSQUIN DES PREZ (d. 1521).

Singers First! • We sometimes forget that all the great composers we love—Morales, Palestrina, Nanino, Arcadelt, Lassus, and so forth—were hired not as composers, but as singers. I have to admit, I would give my right arm to hear Father Cristóbal de Morales (d. 1553) sing. I suspect he was excellent. Father Morales was first admitted to the papal choir on 1 September 1535. Although I work with volunteer singers, many of them are superb. Listen to how perfectly these two sopranos (who sing in my choir) blend together:

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

Richness • Even a marvelous studio recording like that one, however, lacks the richness of a full choir. Consider the following hymn, recorded yesterday (Ash Wednesday 2024) by my volunteer female singers. This text was prescribed for Lent in former times, and Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923) called it: “One of the most beautiful examples of mediæval hymnody.”

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

The Day My Life Changed • Some claim it’s immoral for singers to take delight in the music they sing during Mass. Certain popes and other religious leaders throughout history argued that if there’s any enjoyment in singing sacred music, that “proves” it’s done for man and not for God; but I don’t believe that’s correct. When I was young, I erroneously believed the only things we could offer up to God were things we hate. But my life changed forever when I realized we can (and should) offer to God not only our sufferings, but also our joys. We must never allow ourselves to check our cell phone in the morning before we’ve made the morning offering. If you don’t know a morning offering, you might want to consider this one, by Cardinal Merry Del Vel.

My volunteer choir really enjoys—and finds edifying—the music of Kevin Allen. Here’s an example they sang recently during Mass:

Here’s the direct URL link.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Catholic Composer Cristobal de Morales, Rafael Merry del Val, Rev Fr Adrian Fortescue Liturgy Last Updated: February 15, 2024

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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

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    “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

Random Quote

“Although the Mass contains much instruction for the faithful, it has nevertheless not seemed expedient to the fathers that it be celebrated everywhere in the vernacular. The holy synod commands pastors and everyone who has the care of souls to explain frequently during the celebration of the Masses, either themselves or through others, some of the things that are read in the Mass, and among other things to expound some mystery of this most Holy Sacrifice, especially on Sundays and feastdays.”

— ‘Council of Trent, XII:8 (1562)’

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  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs

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