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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 · 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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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · August 29, 2018

Saving the Church, One Choir at a Time

On the ground in our parishes and in our choirs is where the truth lies. Let us not retreat.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —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
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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 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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The pope regrets that this trade in African slaves, that he believed having ceased, is still exercised in some regions and even more cruel way. He begs and begs the King of Portugal that it implement all its authority and wisdom to extirpate this unholy and abominable shame.”

— ‘Pope Pius VII, writing to the King of Portugal’

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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