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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

Alfred Calabrese • Article Archive

Dr. Alfred Calabrese is a conductor, educator, composer, scholar, and church musician. Having worked in academia for two decades, he felt called to enter full-time work in the Catholic Church, and since 2007 has directed the music at Saint Rita Catholic Church. He and his wife live in Dallas, TX. They have two grown children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · October 9, 2025

Exclusive Interview • “Púeri Cantóres” President

On 9 October 2025, I was pleased to interview the legendary Paul French.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · September 23, 2025

Dr. Alfred Calabrese • “Three Recommendations for Children’s Repertoire”

Below are three compositions I’ve used with great success…

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · October 16, 2024

“My Best Advice To You” • After 18 Years At My Catholic Parish

A few years ago, I attended Mass at Westminster Cathedral in London…

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · September 23, 2023

PDF Download • “Kyrie for the Ordinary Form in Honor of Saint Thomas More”

A month of William Byrd … in Dallas, Texas!

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · September 7, 2023

Dr. Alfred Calabrese on William Byrd’s “Sanctus” • (Mass for Five Voices)

“The Byrd Masses were printed without title pages, and with no reference to a composer. It was too dangerous to do so.” —Dr. Calabrese

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · November 3, 2020

(Installment #11) “Catholic Hymnals” • Alfred Calabrese

Book Review: “The First Christian Hymnal”

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · June 14, 2020

Live Recording (42 min) • “Vespers for the Sacred Heart”

You will hear, as the service progresses, how unisons become more and more refined and how subtlety finds its way into the psalmody.

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 26, 2020

Arranging and Transcribing Our Way Through the Epidemic

I am imagining a new ensemble, built out of necessity, for the singing of polyphonic motets and even Mass ordinaries.

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 13, 2020

Josquin’s “Ave Maria…Virgo Serena” • The Most Famous Piece Of 1502

It stands to reason that if someone wants to sell a lot of books, he should put something in there that people want to buy.

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · April 21, 2020

The Unintended Consequences of Live Streaming Mass

If someone is not entertained watching a live streamed Mass, they can just change the channel.

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · March 25, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Dr. Calabrese

“I have made the mistake in the past of scheduling a whole set of new pieces for three of four weeks in a row.”

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · March 17, 2020

Eucharistic Fasting, Hunger, and Pent Up Energy

So many are distraught that they are unable to receive the Eucharist. The dryness of the Lenten desert is real.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 18, 2020

Olivier Latry: Recital in Dallas This Sunday

I am thrilled that my parish, St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, TX, will host Mr. Latry this Sunday evening for an extraordinary concert of French music.

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 8, 2020

To Breathe or Not To Breathe

Our choirs should not sound mechanical. Beautiful music its waiting to be discovered.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · January 19, 2020

Is It Time To Stop Singing The Propers?

I know how difficult it can be to introduce chant to a Novus Ordo parish.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Reminder” — Month of December (2025)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Dr. Mahrt explains the ‘Spoken’ Propers
    In 1970, the Church promulgated a new version of the Roman Missal. It goes by various names: Ordinary Form, Novus Ordo, MISSALE RECENS, and so on. If you examine the very first page, you’ll notice that Pope Saint Paul VI explains the meaning of the ‘Spoken Propers’ (which are for Masses without singing). A quote by Dr. William P. Mahrt is also included in that file. The SPOKEN PROPERS—used at Masses without music—are sometimes called The Adalbert Propers, because they were created in 1969 by Father Adalbert Franquesa Garrós, one of Hannibal Bugnini’s closest friends (according to Yves Chiron).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (1st Sunday of Advent)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 30 November 2025, which is the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is quite memorable, and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”
    According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “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

Random Quote

It’s good that you are in the USA, otherwise who is going to—in the best sense—make music?

— Ignaz Friedman writing to Josef Hofmann (4 January 1940)

Recent Posts

  • “Reminder” — Month of December (2025)
  • PDF Download • Agnus Dei Polyphonic “Choral Extension” (Simple Round by Ravenscroft)
  • “Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”
  • “Sacred Music Pilgrimage to Italy” with Grace Feltoe
  • Dr. Mahrt explains the ‘Spoken’ Propers

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