Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for January 2025

William J. Fritz · January 6, 2025

The Dedication of a Musician

“In other words, it is in the very being of what it is to be human to be giving of oneself.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 6, 2025

“Reader Feedback” • 6 January 2025

“Thank you so much for all of your tireless and selfless work…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 4, 2025

“Music List” • Feast of the Epiphany

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” I prepared…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2025

PDF Download • “Communion Chant” (Epiphany)

Fully harmonized, including fabulous (optional) verses from the New Testament.

Corrinne May · January 3, 2025

Re: “O Magnum Mysterium” by Lauridsen

Nothing quite like singing for two (2) Apostolic nuncios!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • Feast of the Epiphany

The authentic Gregorian Chant version begins the same way “Salve, Sancta Parens” begins…

Fr. David Friel · January 2, 2025

In Memoriam • Dr. William Mahrt

A brilliant and faithful man who had tasted heaven in the chants of the Church

Keven Smith · January 2, 2025

Tuning Your Choir Without Driving Them Mad

How to achieve outstanding intonation without making your rehearsals tedious and stressful.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2025

PDF Download • 129 Pages!

This book—now available as a PDF file—is 129 pages long!

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 2, 2025

Featured on FOX 47 News: “Latin Mass makes a comeback in Jackson, Michigan”

“Interest is growing intensely among the young, some traveling each Sunday from far away…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2025

PDF Download • “What Child Is This” (Harmonized by the Von Trapp Family Singers)

Download this book—129 pages!—free of charge as a PDF: “The Trapp Family Book of Christmas Songs.”

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