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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

From Inspiration to Implementation • “Lenten Choral Extensions” (And a Free Gift!)

William J. Fritz · February 28, 2025

Before you dive in, scroll to the
bottom for a special Lenten gift!

ELLOW CCWatershed readers, Lent is nearly upon us, a time to deeply contemplate the central mystery of our salvation. Each year, during major liturgical season, I strive to introduce or refine something in our ministry—a decade of small changes adds up! As many of our bloggers have discussed, adapting, catechizing, and shaping liturgical music requires a patient, long-term approach. There are numerous “Choral Extensions” uploaded here on the website, like this one on Creed III; and this one on the Holy, Holy, Holy; and this one on Saint Noël Chabanel. (There are others! A search “Choral Extensions” will get you there!)

Adopting His Idea • Jeff’s work sparked an idea: how could I adapt this concept for my own parish? During Lent, we use the “Jubilate Deo” Mass setting from Pope St. Paul VI’s eponymous document. This document aimed to promote the essential Gregorian chants every Catholic should know. If you haven’t read it, it’s worth exploring, as it “contains a minimum selection of sacred chants…that all the faithful should know at least some Latin Gregorian chants…” (from the introductory Letter of Jubilate Deo). Having already incorporated choral harmonizations for this setting, I decided to try something different for Lent: straightforward choral extensions.

*  PDF Download • SAMPLE SCORE (Kyrie Extension)

I’ve just uploaded practice tracks for my choir on YouTube:

Kyrie All Parts Demo

Sanctus All Parts Demo

Memorial Acclamation All Parts Demo

Agnus Dei All Parts Demo

Full Playlist for Each Part

Now, for your Lenten gift: I’m offering a 100% discount code, exclusively for CCWatershed readers. Use IJUSTCHANT on my KoFi store (be sure to click “apply discount” when checking out), where you’ll find some of my choral and liturgical organ works: https://ko-fi.com/s/a9c7c802ec

Yes, this might seem like a bit of self-promotion, but I’ve been encouraged to share my work more. This code is valid until March 9th, 2025, so don’t miss out!

I plan to publish more content on KoFi in the future, so consider following me if you’re interested. I will pray your Lenten journey be filled with peace and grace. For Lent, I am going to post once each week: the other bloggers on this website will hold me accountable, I’m sure of it! Duc in altum!

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Authentic Liturgical Renewal Reform, Choral Extensions, Jubilate Deo, Simple Steps To Improve Parish Music Last Updated: March 3, 2025

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About William J. Fritz

William J. Fritz currently serves as music director at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa, CA where he resides with his wife and three boys.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —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

The representative Protestant collection, entitled “Hymns, Ancient and Modern”—in substance a compromise between the various sections of conflicting religious thought in the Establishment—is a typical instance. That collection is indebted to Catholic writers for a large fractional part of its contents. If the hymns be estimated which are taken from Catholic sources, directly or imitatively, the greater and more valuable part of its contents owes its origin to the Church.

— Orby Shipley (1884)

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