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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant in English” for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 1, 2024

OR THOSE CAPABLE of rational thought, the intention of other human beings must be taken into consideration. More than twenty years ago, as we approached the end of the liturgical year, I said to Father Valentine Young: “Do you remember what you told us vis-à-vis the INTROIT that repeats over and over?” [In the MISSALE VETUSTUM, the propers toward each year’s end are repeated Sunday after Sunday.] Father responded in the negative. I then reminded him of his remark: “These propers repeat each week, so before long you guys will start to sound pretty good.” Father Valentine then apologized, making clear he’d meant no disparagement of our singing.* He joked: “I’ve learned to be more diplomatic in my old age.”

As Time Passes • The inexperienced singer will usually get frustrated that each Sunday in the Catholic Church has its own set of propers which must be mastered. It can be overwhelming. However, one soon realizes the Church’s tremendous wisdom in having weekly variety. Indeed, one eventually begins to look forward to greeting “old friends” as they make their appearance each year. (The Gregorian melodies have a surprising way of sticking in one’s brain.)

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time • This coming Sunday has an ENTRANCE CHANT which is particularly beautiful. In Latin, its title is In Voluntáte Tua Dómine. Here’s how it sounds in English:

*  PDF Download • Singer’s Score (Treble Clef)
*  PDF Download • ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENT (2 Pages)

Here’s the direct URL link.

Haunting Modes • It’s interesting to examine the introits that come toward the end of the liturgical year. Why are so many in the “spooky” modes? I’m referring to mode iv and mode iii, which both sound quite haunting. It’s as if Holy Mother Church is reminding us of our own (inevitable) death and judgment.

Renewal of Challenge • In many recent articles, I’ve been recommending the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal. I believe this book is indispensable for any serious Catholic choirmaster. (I certainly couldn’t run my choral program without it.) I don’t use the “P-word” word lightly, but I’m comfortable calling the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL peerless. Indeed, one of the main authors for the Church Music Association of America weblog declared (6/10/2022) that the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL “has no parallel and not even any close competitor.” For years, I’ve been searching for a qualified partner willing to debate this assertion over zoom.

Today—1 October 2024—I respectfully renew my challenge. Our website garners millions of hits, but so far nobody has accepted my challenge.

* His apology gives a beautiful testimony to his gentleness. As a matter of fact, I had never thought his remark was intended to disparage our singing. But—because he was such a charitable priest—he went “above and beyond” to clarify matters.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: October 1, 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

Friedman met Egon Wellesz in Altaussee on one of the walks, and Egon started to speak about atonal music—and Ignaz replied: “No, no, no. Melody for me.”

— From the Life of Ignazy Friedman

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