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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

Matthew Frederes • Article Archive

Mr. Frederes is a software engineer, pilot, served as an organist for 31 years, and directed small parish choirs/scholas for 22 years. He and his wife have 12 children. They recently moved to the Sierra foothills of Northern California. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Matthew Frederes · July 6, 2024

Bidding Starts in 4 Days on these Catholic treasures!

Christie’s Valuable Books and Manuscripts auction on July 10 will be offering a selection of important Catholic medieval and renaissance manuscripts for sale.

Matthew Frederes · May 8, 2024

J. R. R. Tolkien and Guéranger : Antiquarianism is Protestantism! Was Pius X an Antiquarianist?

The Church is a living body, that has grown from a seed to a full grown tree. It can never return to the seed.

Matthew Frederes · September 4, 2023

Revealed! • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts of Sacred Gregorian Chant

Please enjoy this new addition to the website which provides a useful list of manuscripts discussed on this blog, for easy access to the same sources used by the contributors!

Matthew Frederes · August 8, 2023

“Graduale Romanum” • Rare Edition from 1661 A. D.

Today we release an exceedingly rare 1661 edition of the Graduale Romanum, in high resolution and in full color!

Matthew Frederes · March 6, 2023

Grant Awarded for Digitizing Over 400,000 Pages of Ancient Solesmes Manuscripts

REPERTORIUM has been awarded a large grant to scan and digitize over 400,000 ancient manuscript images from the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solesmes archive.

Matthew Frederes · March 4, 2023

Alfred Calabrese leads choir on EWTN with Archbishop Cordileone

Sign up today to hear Band of Voices, led by Alfred Calabrese, sing eight Latin motets on EWTN on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Archbishop Cordileone will be offering commentary as a Lenten reflection.

Matthew Frederes · March 1, 2023

Obedience In Sacred Music, Liturgy • Matthew Frederes Answers Patrick Williams

Obedience to the Church, and respect for Tradition is paramount in Sacred Music, as well as subjugation to the Liturgy. Was GR (1974) “The” Critical Edition? An incessant or insatiable thirst for variety and novelty is a vicious symptom of our modern age.

Matthew Frederes · February 27, 2023

Do We Need a Beautiful Cento, or an Archaic Reversion?

The Vatican Edition, as well as St. Gregory’s work were both a Cento built on tradition to unify the Church. Semiological editions are archaic reversions. A close look at the Puer Natus Est in both forms is offered.

Matthew Frederes · December 12, 2022

Recent Book! • “The Politics of Plainchant”

Fascinating details from never-before-seen letters recently discovered in southern France!

Matthew Frederes · November 10, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Frederes Feedback”

Why declare that rhythmic signs are permitted if alteration of any kind is unacceptable? It doesn’t make any sense…

Matthew Frederes · December 3, 2021

Biography • Matthew D. Frederes

In addition to being a husband and father of 12 children, Mr. Frederes is a software engineer, pilot, and served as an organist & choirmaster 33 years.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“A striking detail: at Solesmes, we remember hearing Justine Ward criticize accompaniment sometimes or seeing her cover her ears, especially when the organ accompanied a soloist, which is something she could not accept.”

— Dom Pierre Combe

Recent Posts

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  • PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
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