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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

Brave Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording

Jeff Ostrowski · August 26, 2025

ROWING UP in the 1990s, our rich suburban parish employed the normal ‘sacro-pop’ common in those days: Let Us Build A City Of God (Dan Schutte); Abba Father (Carey Landry); Like A Sunflower (Glory & Praise Hymnal); Sing Hey For The Carpenter (GIA PUBLICATIONS); Anthem (Tom Conry); Peace Is Flowing Like a River (Carey Landry); Let Us Be Bread (GIA PUBLICATIONS); Yahweh, I Know You Are Near (Dan Schutte); and so forth. In high school, I attended daily Mass, spent more time in prayer, and intensely studied the Catholic Faith. I came to realize something; and it changed my life. It dawned on me that if we really believe the SECOND PERSON OF THE BLESSED TRINITY becomes present during Mass—which every Catholic must—we will never sing goofy, effeminate, off-Broadway songs in the musical style of a toothpaste commercial or Disney movie.

Only Me • As I’ve made clear over and over, I’m only speaking for myself on this blog. I don’t speak for our contributors nor insist others adopt my views. But I believe it’s scandalous that the USCCB gave official approval to a setting based on “My Little Pony” which modifies the official text. I also feel it’s scandalous to use a Mass setting in which the composer admitted to mimicking the film Back To The Future (1985). Heretical lyrics no longer shock priests or bishops; indeed, a hymn from GIA PUBLICATIONS has the congregation sing: “We are each other’s bread and wine” (view screenshot).

Failed Career • The point of my career has been to attempt to demonstrate that ‘ordinary’ parishes need never resort to goofy, undignified, off-Broadway music. Has my career been a success or a failure? Have I helped people out there? Have I genuinely helped even one person? I really don’t know … but it’s a fight worth fighting, win or lose.

We Came Back • I wish you could hear the choir sing at my parish. The choral sounds they produce are so beautiful. It’s a refreshing delight to hear these volunteers! Unfortunately, microphones seldom reproduce choral sound accurately. Our choir returned to singing last Sunday. Nevertheless, I include (below) a few excerpts for curious minds. The choir consists 100% of volunteers, and when it comes to a particular young man, last Sunday was the 2nd time in his life he’s ever sung in a choir.

Fauxbourdon Communion • The distribution of Holy Communion takes a long time at our church, because it’s packed. Therefore, we normally utilize the “extra” psalm verses provided at the magnificent feasts website. By doing this, I can include our women singers. Here’s a Fauxbourdon excerpt from last Sunday:

Here’s the direct URL link.

Our women sang a beautiful Irish hymn: #770 from the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal:

Here’s the direct URL link.

Sometimes we sing hymns in SATB without organ. Here is #27 from the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal:

Here’s the direct URL link.

Renewal of Challenge • In many recent articles, I’ve been recommending the Brébeuf Hymnal, which I feel 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 who’s willing to debate this assertion over zoom. Today—26 August 2025—I respectfully renew my challenge. Our website garners millions of hits, but so far nobody has accepted my challenge.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Dan Schutte Mass of Christ the Savior, Missa My Little Pony Last Updated: August 26, 2025

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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

    “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
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —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

Many declare that Vatican Council II brought about a true springtime in the Church. Nevertheless, a growing number of Church leaders see this “springtime” as a rejection, a renunciation of her centuries-old heritage, or even as a radical questioning of her past and Tradition. Political Europe is rebuked for abandoning or denying its Christian roots; but the first to have abandoned her Christian roots and past is indisputably the post-conciliar Catholic Church.

— ‘Pope Francis’ Chief Liturgist (31 March 2017)’

Recent Posts

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  • “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
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  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs
  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)

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