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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

William Fritz • Article Archive

William J. Fritz is a composer, organist, choir director and music teacher. He studied music, philosophy and theology with the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey in Orange County, and received his masters in theology from the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Toronto, Canada. He currently serves as music director in both forms of the Roman Rite at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa, CA where he resides with his wife and three boys.—Read full biography (with photographs).

William J. Fritz · February 28, 2025

From Inspiration to Implementation • “Lenten Choral Extensions” (And a Free Gift!)

I decided to try something different for Lent…

William J. Fritz · January 6, 2025

The Dedication of a Musician

“In other words, it is in the very being of what it is to be human to be giving of oneself.”

William J. Fritz · November 16, 2024

Principles vs Preferences

I ran into this idea recently…

William J. Fritz · October 7, 2024

Mass • “Singing” Vs. “Reciting”

That single change made clear that those present were able to enter more deeply…

William J. Fritz · August 23, 2024

“Introducing Chant in Your Parish” • With Kevin Allen

“If Bach wanted to learn from the master, he had to go a long way to do it, so he made the sacrifice to do it.” —Kevin Allen

William J. Fritz · December 13, 2023

Recording Release! • Marenzio’s “Salve Regina”

I recorded my choir trying out the little “puzzle” (sent by Benedetti to Cipriano de Rore) to see whether the pitch would drift at all…

William J. Fritz · September 17, 2023

Enter the Gregorian Rhythm Wars

My goal is to clarify and illumine what I believe exactly is at stake when we debate the rhythm in chant. I shall first attempt to summarize the core arguments that each of the main authors in this blog series use.

William J. Fritz · September 13, 2023

“Ever Ancient, Ever New” • Sacred Concert in North Florida

“It is even more encouraging when a concert with 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐 Catholic music is done.” —Mæstro Fritz

William J. Fritz · July 7, 2023

EWTN Broadcast • Sacred Music by MacMillan + Eight Emerging Composers

This coming Saturday (8 July) at 7:00pm, EWTN will be broadcasting …

William J. Fritz · December 17, 2020

(Installment #15) “Catholic Hymnals” • William Fritz

To (re)Harmonize a Hymn—“Anima Christi” by Dr. Theodore Marier

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William J. Fritz · May 15, 2020

How to Change a Hymn Without Changing It

Ever thought of changing the way you play a hymn without needing to have studies advanced theory and harmonization techniques? Here are two ways of changing the way you are playing a hymn without changing the harmony or re-voicing it.

William J. Fritz · April 17, 2020

A Blessing and a Curse: Digital Sheet Music

Have you seen a musician using a tablet to read their music as they performed? Ever wondered how that would work in your choir or for you?

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William J. Fritz · April 15, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • William Fritz

As church musicians, we have incredible responsibility and influence.

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William J. Fritz · February 21, 2020

What Kind of Interest is there in a Gregorian Chant Class?

Have you ever considered how a class on Gregorian chant would be received? Why is there an increasing desire among Catholics to include chant in the Mass and liturgy? Look at how one such class was received in Southern California. Outline included of class structure.

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William J. Fritz · January 22, 2020

Biography • William J. Fritz

William Fritz is a composer, pianist, organist, liturgical musician and director of music at St. John the Baptist Parish in Costa Mesa, CA.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music List • (4th Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 4th Sunday of Lent (15 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. This feast has sublime propers. It is most often referred to as “Lætare Sunday” owing to its INTROIT. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Communion (4th Snd. Lent)
    The COMMUNION ANTIPHON for this coming Sunday, which is the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year A), is particularly beautiful. There’s something irresistible about this tone; it’s neither happy nor sad. As always, I encourage readers to visit the flourishing feasts website, where the complete Propria Missae may be downloaded free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Good Friday Flowers
    Good Friday has a series of prayers for various parties: the pope, catechumens, pagans, heretics, schismatics, and so forth. In the old liturgical books, there was no official ‘name’ for these prayers. (This wasn’t unusual as ‘headers’ and ‘titles’ for each section is a rather modern idea.) The Missal simply instructed the priest to go to the Epistle side and begin. In the SHERBORNE MISSAL, each prayer begins with a different—utterly spectacular—flower. This PDF file shows the first few prayers. Has anyone counted the ‘initial’ drop-cap flowers in the SHERBORNE MISSAL? Surely there are more than 1,000.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Stumped by “Episcopalian Hymnal” (1910)
    Some consider Songs of Syon (1910) the greatest Episcopalian hymnal ever printed. As a Roman Catholic, I have no right to weigh in one way or the other. However, this particular page has me stumped. I just know I’ve heard that tune somewhere! If you can help, please email me. I’m talking about the text which begins: “This is the day the Lord hath made; In unbeclouded light array’d.” The book is by George Ratcliffe Woodward, and its complete title is: Songs of Syon: A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Back in 2016, Corpus Christi Watershed scanned and uploaded this insanely rare book. For years our website was the sole place one could download it as a PDF file.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Dies Irae” • A Monstrous Translation
    It isn’t easy to determine what Alice King MacGilton hoped to accomplish with her very popular book—A Study of Latin Hymns (1918)—which continued to be reprinted in new editions for at least 34 years. This PDF file shows her attempt to translate the DIES IRAE “in the fewest words possible.” There’s a place for dynamic equivalency, but this is repugnant. In particular, look what she does to “Quærens me sedísti lassus.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The local church should be conscious that church worship is not really the same as what we sing in a bar, or what we sing in a convention for youth.

— Francis Cardinal Arinze (2005)

Recent Posts

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  • Eucharistic Hymns for Your Choir
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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