Views from the Choir Loft

Corrinne May Conducts At “Totus Tuus”

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 27, 2024

AST FRIDAY, at the Marian Night of Music concert, the Totus Tuus Schola Cantorum led by Singaporean ‘platinum’ artist Corrinne May chanted a rich repertoire of Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony dedicated to our Lord, Blessed Mother, and Saint Joseph. The following choral works were sung: If Ye Love Me (Tallis); Ave Maria (Palestrina); Te Joseph Celebrent (Plainchant); Magnificat (Ciro Grassi); O Magnum Mysterium (Father Victoria); Agnus Dei (Kevin Allen); Adoro Te Devote (Charlotte Lansberg); Anima Christi & Totus Tuus (Marco Frisina); and the Pater Noster (Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel).

Corrinne May writes:

There is a mystery of truth communicated by beauty which reflects the Divine. The late Alice von Hildebrand says, “Beauty is a reflection of God and a reflection of His own infinite beauty.” As Saint Augustine famously remarks, “Cantare amantis est”—singing belongs to the one who loves. When man comes into contact with God, mere speech is insufficient. Sacred Music in all its beauty & tradition is meant to articulate the very truth in our hearts to Almighty God. Please pray for me and the choir. May Our Lady be better known and loved.

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

Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published

Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.

—Jeff Ostrowski

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)

With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed