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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

Keven Smith • Article Archive

Keven Smith is the music director at St. Stephen the First Martyr Catholic Church, an apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) in Sacramento, California. He trains and directs a mixed choir that sings full Gregorian propers, ordinaries, and sacred polyphony at more than 100 traditional Latin Masses per year. Keven lives in Sacramento with his wife and five musical children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Keven Smith · April 28, 2021

Hidden Gem: In Te, Domine, Speravi (Hassler)

This simple canon makes a great “anytime” Offertory motet for developing choirs and experienced ensembles alike.

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Keven Smith · April 12, 2021

“The Great Reset” • For Your Choir?

Consider using this time of disruption as an opportunity to make long-overdue changes in the way your choir operates.

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Keven Smith · March 29, 2021

A Short Reflection for Holy Week: On Love

May these thoughts on selfless love encourage you to persevere through Holy Week.

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Keven Smith · March 22, 2021

Hidden Gem: Crux Fidelis (attr. King John IV of Portugal)

I don’t know who really wrote this motet, but I do know it’s a soothing and highly accessible selection for Holy Week.

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Keven Smith · March 9, 2021

The Anatomy of an Organ Improvisation

Here are some audio samples from recent Masses, along with explanations of what I was thinking for each improvisation.

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Keven Smith · March 1, 2021

Three Ways to Improvise at the Organ

Don’t just play the organ. Pray the organ.

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Keven Smith · February 23, 2021

Four Reasons to Improvise at the Organ

If an ex-clarinetist can do it, you can do it—and the benefits far outweigh the effort involved.

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Keven Smith · February 16, 2021

PDF • “Spiritual Mass Plan for Church Organists”

Some guidance on how to stay recollected at a low Mass while you’re also playing organ.

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Keven Smith · February 1, 2021

Looking for a Good Lenten Devotion? Try the Seven Sorrows Rosary

Learn about the amazing promises attached to this venerable devotion.

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Keven Smith · January 25, 2021

Quick Vocal Tip: Breathe on Cutoffs

This simple breathing hack could bring new life to your choir’s sound.

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Keven Smith · January 18, 2021

Hidden Gem: Salvum Fac Populum Tuum (Bruckner)

This little-known, accessible motet could serve as your choir’s introduction to the thrilling sonic world of Anton Bruckner.

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Keven Smith · January 11, 2021

What Color Is B-Flat? Life as a Musician with Synesthesia

Musicians rely on hearing. Hearing is a sense. Synesthesia makes the senses cross over. And that’s where the fun begins….

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Keven Smith · January 4, 2021

Here’s a New Year’s Resolution: Tell Strangers What You Do

A recent encounter made me realize what can happen when we discuss church music with others.

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Keven Smith · December 28, 2020

Start the New Year Right with a Spectacular Alleluia

If you attend the Extraordinary Form, the Alleluia for the Octave of the Nativity will enable you to start the New Year with a bang.

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Keven Smith · December 21, 2020

Hidden Gem: Alma Redemptoris Mater (Salazar)

Here’s a Spanish Baroque motet that will gradually, gently win your heart while giving your choir another good option for the entire Christmas cycle.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
    About a month ago, I created a simplified keyboard accompaniment for “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”—the famous ADVENT hymn—using a melody called CROSS OF JESUS. It was soon downloaded more than 1,000 times. As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for the belovèd Epiphany hymn “Bethlehem! Of noblest cities” (O Sola Magnarum Urbium) by clicking on this link (PDF file). Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult, which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Psalm Tone Challenge!
    Many readers know that Tone 1a3 is the most difficult PSALM TONE in the 1962 books (and isn’t called for very often). But what about very short verses—which is the absolute most concise you know? The shortest PSALM TONE segment I know would be the fourth verse (PDF) from Psalm 44, used during Matins at Christmas. It’s literally one word long. If you know a more minuscule one, please email me!
    —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

“The plan to definitively abolish the traditional Tridentine Mass … if it is true, seems to me to be an insult to the history of the Church and to Sacred Tradition, a diabolical project that seeks to break with the Church of Christ, the apostles, and the saints.”

— The Vatican’s chief liturgist (appointed by Pope Francis) from 2014-2021

Recent Posts

  • “Puer Natus in Béthlehem” • (Added Fifths)
  • Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
  • How Does The Vatican “Rhythm” Actually Sound?
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
  • “Adeste Fideles” • Too Many Translations!

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