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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

PDF Download • New Version of “What Child Is This” (SATB) … as of 18 December 2024

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2024

IXON SERVED as president from 1969 to 1974. He frequently brought up a speech given in Paris by his predecessor (Teddy Roosevelt) called The Man in the Arena. Those of us who post articles and compositions on this blog are likewise “in the arena”—whether we like it or not. In other words, we come within the view of the public. As a result, some of us become the object of insults, slander, and malicious gossip. Over the years, I’ve sometimes1 provided examples; not to evoke pity or portray myself as some sort of a martyr. Rather, I shared this information to make it clear to my fellow church musicians that one must expect such treatment once you enter “the arena.”

Those Awesome People • Why is being in “the arena” totally worth it? Because one meets so many generous and wonderful Catholics. In the face of defamatory statements (especially by those whom we’ve gone out of our way to help) it’s crucial to focus on the awesome people—not the haters. One example of a terrific person I’ve become friends with is CORRINNE MAY, a ‘platinum’ singer-songwriter who’s doing truly magnificent work forming parish choirs in Singapore.

Her Request • Corrinne asked whether my arrangement of What Child Is This? in Latin could be placed into English instead. This afternoon, I was able to complete this task:

*  PDF Download • WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (18-DEC-2024)

Here’s the original version, posted two years ago:

If you’re interested in a PDF score of the Latin version—or rehearsal videos—please click here.

1 Let me give just one example. A few years ago, I was attacked online by a certain priest who had misunderstood one of my articles. This priest serves as RECTOR (!) of a cathedral, believe it or not. One of the things he claimed online was that I don’t accept the validity of the Novus Ordo Missae. His claim is rather rich, because for twenty years I’ve personally created thousands of scores, rehearsal videos, and tutorials for the ORDINARY FORM—scores which have garnered millions of downloads all over the world. I watched on social media to see whether anyone would come my defense. I thought (perhaps) some of the people who use my Novus Ordo scores on a weekly basis might speak up on my behalf. But not a single person did so—and this is part of being “in the arena.”

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Corrinne May, Latin Christmas Carols, Latin What Child Is This, Richard Milhous Nixon, The Man in the Arena, What Child Is This? Last Updated: December 18, 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

“Until Pope Paul VI, there has not been a single pope who introduced the type of fundamental changes in liturgical forms which we are now witnessing. In fact, we must note that even small changes in the liturgy introduced by a pope have never been readily accepted.”

— Monsignor Klaus Gamber (d. 1989)

Recent Posts

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  • “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
  • A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant
  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs

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