Views from the Choir Loft

How to Read and Sing Gregorian Chant

Not everyone will agree with all the ideas, conclusions, and methods put forth below. However, it is hoped that some will find these lessons useful. As time goes on, the lessons will be expanded upon, with even more examples being included. Also, if readers notice errors and mistakes, these can be corrected. — Jeff Ostrowski, June 2012

With a little effort, anybody can learn how to read Gregorian chant! However, as a teacher, it is difficult to know where to begin and what progression to follow. No doubt some singers will, with profit, go through the following lessons “out of order.”

Lesson 1: The Principles of “Movable Do”

Lesson 2: Intervallic Relationships

Lesson 3: Do Clef and Fa Clef

Lesson 4: A Practical Example

Lesson 5: Names of the Notes

Lesson 6: The Vatican Edition of the Chant

Lesson 7: Syllabic Moræ Vocis in the Vatican Edition

Lesson 8: Salicus vs. Scandicus

Lesson 9: Ecclesiastical Pronunciation of Latin

Lesson 10: Modality and Psalm Tones

Lesson 11: Thoughts on Gregorian Rhythm

Rare Recordings from the 1904 Gregorian Congress:

Don Antonio Rella Recording from 1904 (video)

Introit • “Gaudeamus” — Dom Joseph Pothier Recording from 1904 (video)

Alleluia • “Assumpta est Maria” — Dom Joseph Pothier Recording from 1904 (video)

Communion • “Optimam partem” — Dom Joseph Pothier Recording from 1904 (video)

Sequence • “Veni Sancte Spiritus” — Baron Rudolf Kanzler Recording from 1904 (video)

Introit • “Sacerdotes” — Dom André Mocquereau Recording from 1904 (video)

Alleluia • “Fac nos innocuam” — Dom André Mocquereau Recording from 1904 (video)

Introit • “Resurrexi” — Dom André Mocquereau Recording from 1904 (video)

Gradual • “Haec Dies” — Dom André Mocquereau Recording from 1904 (video)

Alleluia • “Pascha Nostrum” — Dom André Mocquereau Recording from 1904 (video)

To be added at a later date:

Different Kinds of Chants (Introits, Graduals, Alleluias, Offertories, etc.)
The Origin of Written Music and the Early Gregorian MSS
Where to Learn More and Practice Chanting
In Depth Treatment of the Solesmes Ictus and Arsis & Thesis
Can Gregorian Chant be Sung in English?
Contemporary Scholarship and Its Challenges

How Well Does ICEL Know Latin?

This year, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June 2025) will fall on a Sunday. It’s not necessary to be an eminent Latin scholar to be horrified by examples like this, which have been in place since 1970. For the last 55 years, anyone who’s attempted to correct such errors has been threatened with legal action. It is simply unbelievable that the (mandatory) texts of the Holy Mass began being sold for a profit in the 1970s. How much longer will this gruesome situation last?

—Jeff Ostrowski

Is the USCCB trolling us?

I realize I’m going to come across as a “Negative Nancy” … but I can’t help myself. This kind of stuff is beyond ridiculous. There are already way too many options in the MISSALE RECENS. Adding more will simply confuse the faithful even more. We seriously need to band together and start creating a “REFORM OF THE REFORM” Missale Romanum so it will be ready when the time comes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Common” Responsorial Psalm?

I try to avoid arguing about liturgical legislation (even with Catholic priests) because it seems like many folks hold certain views—and nothing will persuade them to believe differently. You can show them 100 church documents, but it matters not. They won’t budge. Sometimes I’m confronted by people who insist that “there’s no such thing” as a COMMON RESPONSORIAL PSALM. When that happens, I show them a copy of the official legislation in Latin. I have occasionally prevailed by means of this method.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

When to Sit, Stand and Kneel like it’s 1962

There are lots of different guides to postures for Mass, but I couldn’t find one which matched our local Latin Mass, so I made this one: sit-stand-kneel-crop

—Veronica Brandt

The Funeral Rites of the Graduale Romanum

Lately I have been paging through the 1974 Graduale Romanum (see p. 678 ff.) and have been fascinated by the funeral rites found therein, especially the simply-beautiful Psalmody that is appointed for all the different occasions before and after the funeral Mass: at the vigil/wake, at the house of the deceased, processing to the church, at the church, processing to the cemetery, and at the cemetery. Would that this “stational Psalmody” of the Novus Ordo funeral rites saw wider usage! If you or anyone you know have ever used it, please do let me know.

—Daniel Tucker