• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
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 · 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.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

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.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · July 4, 2018

Of Estate Sales, Prayers, and Mass Attendance

I started to realize how little time we spend thinking about these things…

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · January 30, 2018

Repetition at the School Mass: “Do it again!”

Grown up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · November 8, 2017

The Real Reason We Sing

Let’s not make this about ourselves.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · September 18, 2017

Five Ways To Make Dogma “Live Loudly Within You”

Thank you, Senator Feinstein!

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 25, 2017

Josquin Desprez • A Marian Masterpiece

Josquin surely belongs in the pantheon of history’s most important composers.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 3, 2017

Kids Are Colorblind But Adults Are Not

Adults with an agenda teach children their own biases.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · April 27, 2017

Is This Any Way to Pray at Mass?

My daughter freaked out when I told her this.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 23, 2017

7 Points • “The Joy of Lent”

Does Lent really put people in a bad mood?

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 16, 2017

The Pedagogy of the School Mass Liturgy

The weekly school Mass may be the only Mass some students ever attend.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · December 1, 2016

Nostalgia Is Not Rigid

I don’t think young people (or most people, frankly) are drawn to the pre-conciliar Mass because of nostalgia.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · August 31, 2016

Has Our Catholic Culture Been Completely Dismantled?

Art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · June 30, 2016

The Positive Impact Of Parish Events

These things must begin at the parish level.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · March 10, 2016

Has The Church Rejected Her Inheritance?

The richness of liturgy and music should never be abandoned.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. 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
    PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. 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
    PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” 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

    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Thus the priest-celebrant, putting on the person of Christ, alone offers sacrifice, and not the people, nor clerics, nor even priests who reverently assist. All, however, can and should take an active part in the Sacrifice. “The Christian people, though participating in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, do not thereby possess a priestly power,” We stated in the Encyclical Mediator Dei (AAS, vol 39, 1947, p. 553).

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

Recent Posts

  • 💰 Are Church Musicians Paid Too Little?
  • PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
  • “O Antiphons” Elevated?
  • PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
  • Should Catholics Sing Protestant Christmas Carols?

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.