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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

Entrance Antiphons • “Transitioning from a Contemporary to Sacred Music Program”

Rebecca De La Torre · October 22, 2024

AVING WORKED with Jeff Ostrowski on several projects in the past, I’m so glad to be joining CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED as an author. I’ve long admired the excellent work done by the various contributors here, and I look forward to a beautiful and fruitful collaboration. Over the last few years I’ve been transitioning from a completely contemporary music program (at a church with a contemporary-music-loving congregation) into one that implements more and more sacred works. Though a slow process, it has been a complete success thus far. Our liturgies are more prayerful and the gentle approach has lost us ZERO parishioners. In fact, (at the time of this writing) our numbers have increased a little above Pre-COVID attendance.

Chanting The Propers • Mr. Ostrowski has encouraged me to share with our readers some of the techniques that have met with success here at my parish in Arizona. One way I’ve been introducing sacred music—besides using venerable hymn tunes with ancient texts—is chanting the propers. Below is one such ENTRANCE ANTIPHON for this coming Sunday in Gregorian Mode IV:

*  PDF Download • ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Rebecca De La Torre)
—For the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

As with all of the (hundreds of) scores on my website, The Modern Psalmist, I record and provide rehearsal tracks free of charge:

*  Mp3 Download • ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Rebecca De La Torre)

Transition Time! • For a choir accustomed to contemporary music, Gregorian chant was intimidating at first. But one method that’s worked well for me is to maintain a single mode for an extended period of time. That way, there’s a congruence from Sunday to Sunday, making the “new style” (though ancient) less intimidating—for both the choir *and* the congregation. For this purpose, I decided to compose Entrance Antiphons in Mode IV. These are simple propers, but not to the point of being monotone. To get a good intuitive feel for Mode IV, I studied the following ancient works from the GRADUALE ROMANUM: SANCTUS (from Mass III); AGNUS DEI (from Mass III), CREDO I (called the “authentic” or “cardinal” creed tone in the ancient manuscripts).

The Same In Spanish • Our congregation is predominantly Latino so I compose everything (!) in English and Spanish. You can download the Spanish version of the same ENTRANCE ANTIPHON for this Sunday here:

*  PDF Download • ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Spanish)
—Antífona de Entrada • 30º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (Modo IV, De La Torre).

As I already mentioned, on my website I provide—free of charge—rehearsal tracks for absolutely everything. Click here to instantly hear that Spanish ENTRANCE ANTIPHON.

The Future • My website consists of many thousands of scores, rehearsal videos, and mp3 files. Almost all of them are completely free, but you need to create a login. Over the next few years, I look forward to (each week) making readers aware of what I offer—again, everything I will share here is 100% free once you create a login—because I realize it can be overwhelming. If you find my resources helpful, I hope you will take advantage of all of them! Regardless, I think it’s important for everyone to at least be aware of what I offer. (A new project I’m particularly excited about is pronunciation guides for Spanish.)

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Last Updated: October 23, 2024

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About Rebecca De La Torre

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Arizona State University. She resides with her husband and daughter in Phoenix, Arizona.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd 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 alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

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

“These liturgists protest that the choir must be encouraged, but in the same breath we are told its purpose is to lead the congregation in the singing of hymns and other unison music. These directions from non-musicians who have never created a musical sound—let alone direct a choir—are the cause of consternation among practicing musicians, both instrumentalists and singers.”

— Monsignor Richard J. Schuler (30 November 1967)

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