“Whoever controls the language controls the Masses.”
“Missa Back-To-The-Future” (a recent OCP offering) isn’t part of the treasury mandated by Vatican II; nor do I belong on the basketball court with Michael Jordan.
Remembering Mr. Tom Savoy • “Requiescat in pace.”
Tom died suddenly on 24 October 2022 (a month shy of his 67th birthday) at his home in Charlotte.
4 November 2022 • “Don’t forget!”
Monthly reminder to all: please subscribe to our free mailing list! It couldn’t be easier: (a) Go to any article; (b) Scroll to the bottom; (c) Enter your email address. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment; we have no major donors; we run no advertisements; we have no savings. […]
“Gregorian Chant Rhythm Wars” • Ostrowski Vs. Williams
My colleague, Patrick Williams has agreed to enter into a “colloquy” with me vis-à-vis Gregorian rhythm.
“Christ the King” • Introit
I have attempted to record the Introit for the Feast of Christ the King according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church. You can view the YouTube recording of my attempt. Traditionally, our Savior’s “kingship” was celebrated as part of the Epiphany—but in 1925, Pope Pius XI created the “feast of Christ the King” […]
29 October 2022 • FEEDBACK
Good morning! My name is […] and I write to you from Chile. Just a short note to say: thank you for your wonderful website “Corpus Christi Watershed.” As a Catholic organist, I truly appreciate the marvelous work you have done. Your website is a tremendous library open to everyone. Thanks so much, and God […]
“To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King” • Melody Comes From Where?
Nobody seems capable of answering this question.
“Vespers of the Dead” • Most Elaborate Book of Hours I’ve Ever Seen
Our Lord said that if men withheld their praise of Him, “the very stones would cry out…”
PDF Download • Plainchant on 5 lines!
I can’t think of better way to learn Gregorian chant than to download this 651-page PDF file, containing the marvelous Gregorian Vesperale (1915) by Father Karl Weinmann (d. 1929) printed on five lines. If you accompany Vespers directly from the plainsong notation, this makes life easy! It’s also fun to compare the Gregorian chant inside […]
19 October 2022 • Feast of Saint Isaac Jogues & Companions
In Canada, they list Father Brébeuf first—in the United States, Father Jogues.
PDF Download • “Hymn List For Sundays” (until 8 December 2022)
As a child, Rex Harrison contracted measles, which took away the sight from his left eye for the rest of his life.
“Hymn By A Saint” • For All Saints (November 1st)
There’s something truly ‘haunting’ about this melody by Flor Peeters—and once it’s in your head, it’s hard to banish!
USCCB • “Principal Music Books for the Eucharist”
The principal books of music for the Eucharist were recently (re-)confirmed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This Sunday’s Introit • “Official” Rhythm
Our Schola Cantorum members prefer to hear recordings of chants we’re learning. This morning I attempted this recording of the INTROIT for this coming Sunday, which is the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. My voice was groggy, but I suppose we singers can’t expect to have a recording studio follow us around all day waiting for […]
PDF Download • “Liber Cantualis”
On 22 November 1963, Pope Paul VI established the “Consociatio Internationalis Musicae Sacrae.” On 16 July 1966, the Vatican reiterated that the Consociatio was “the only international association of sacred music approved by the Holy See.” It’s very difficult—at least for me—to figure out what happened to that organization, and whether it still exists. One […]