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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 • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)

Jeff Ostrowski · September 7, 2025

OMEONE WHO began reading our blog at the age of 18 is now 33. Over the years, certain leitmotivs have established themselves (which is only natural). A theme I’ve frequently lamented is liturgical “influencers” who daily create 50+ posts on social media—and spend hours filming ‘selfie’ podcasts—yet won’t lift a finger in real life to improve the situation. How can we explain this? Are they being honest when they claim to desire greater reverence at Mass? In my opinion, the answer is quite simple. Forming a choir is grueling and thankless work, whereas typing on the internet all day requires virtually no effort.

Choral Repertoire • Choirmasters must constantly challenge their members, most especially by choosing superb repertoire. Otherwise volunteers won’t stick around—because their time is valuable. The Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal is crucial for any serious choral program; but even that splendid book doesn’t contain everything. The conscientious choirmaster never rests from a relentless pursuit of repertoire.

Croft’s Canonic Kyrie • You can help your choir members become familiar with polyphony by introducing canons and rounds. One of the most magnificent canons I know was written by WILLIAM CROFT, the organist at Westminster Abbey (who also composed the famous ST ANNE hymn tune). The first section involves the congregation, and—best of all—this composition can be used in both forms of the Roman Rite. If you’re a TENOR, you owe it to yourself to follow the link (below) and sing through the TENOR rehearsal video; it’s loads of fun.1

*  PDF Download • CROFT CANON KYRIE (SATB)
—This perfect canon is a “Choral Extension” for the KYRIE ELEISON.

Free rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #22896.

Vatican II • The Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “The treasury of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with very great care” (Sacrosanctum Concilium §114). That means the Catholic choirmaster’s job is teaching choral music to choirs. Dan Schutte’s Mass setting based on “My Little Pony” (Missa My Little Pony) isn’t part of the THESAURUS MUSICAE SACRAE spoken of by Vatican II. Neither is OCP’s Missa Back-To-The-Future. Choir directors should never feel embarrassed about teaching choral music to their choirs. According to Vatican II, they have an obligation to do so.

(1 of 2) Rate of Failure • So why do most choirs fail? To put it rather bluntly: many sound bad. The primary reason they sound bad is insufficient members. The minimum required to have a choir is three (3) singers on each part. Too often, choirmasters attempt polyphony with one (1) singer per part. Technically, that’s not a choir—that’s an ensemble of soloists. The irresistible, rich, luscious, gorgeous choir sound is quite a different thing than a soloists’ ensemble.

(2 of 2) Rate of Failure • I’m not saying an ensemble of soloists can’t sound beautiful—but it’s not identical to a rich, sumptuous, resplendent choral sound. In Los Angeles, I recruited a large choir of volunteers. On a weekly basis, we provided music like what’s contained in this ‘live’ recording of #474. Do you hear how rich and luscious the choral sound is? Each voice is ‘aiming’ for the same note, but some are a little above while others are slightly below. That’s where the richness comes from.

Conclusion • To maintain a choir requires relentless recruiting. Once the singers join, the conscientious choirmaster must provide wonderful repertoire for them, such as the Croft Canonic Kyrie (above). It’s hard work … but it’s totally worth it!

1 Most readers won’t explore the “rehearsal videos for each individual part” (see above), and this makes me sad.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Choral Extensions, Croft Canon Kyrie, Missa My Little Pony, William Croft Composer Last Updated: September 8, 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

    (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?
    Choirs love to sing the resplendent tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1929, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. Their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1929 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. As always, the Germans added an organ INTRODUCTION. For the record, I posted a different harmonization a few months ago which was downloaded more than 2,000 times.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
    Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Monsignor Klaus Gamber Speaks!
    An interesting quotation from the eminent liturgist, Monsignor Klaus Gamber (d. 1989): “According to canon law, a person’s affiliation with a particular liturgical rite is determined by that person’s rite of baptism. Given that the liturgical reforms of Pope Paul VI created a de facto new rite, one could assert that those among the faithful who were baptized according to the traditional Roman rite have the right to continue following that rite; just as priests who were ordained according to the traditional Ordo have the right to exercise the very rite that they were ordained to celebrate.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Legitimate and necessary concern for current realities in the concrete lives of people cannot make us forget the true nature of the liturgical actions. It is clear that the Mass is not the time to “celebrate” human dignity or purely terrestrial claims or hopes. It is rather the sacrifice which renders Christ really present in the sacrament.

— Pope Saint John Paul II (20 March 1990)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Marian Antiphon Booklet” (4 pages) + Five Rhythmic Considerations
  • False Accusations
  • (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?
  • PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
  • “Can Choral Music Survive?” • 3 Reasons It Will

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