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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

    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Cantus Mariales” (192 pages)
    Andrea Leal has posted an absolutely pristine scan of CANTUS MARIALES (192 pages) which can be downloaded as a PDF file. To access this treasure, navigate to the frabjous article Andrea posted Monday. The file is being offered completely free of charge. The beginning pages of the book have something not to be missed: viz. a letter from Pope Saint Pius X to Dom Pothier, in which the pope calls Abbat Pothier “a man versed above all others in the science of liturgy, and to whom the cause of Gregorian chant is greatly indebted.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (2nd Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 2nd Sunday of Lent (1 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. This feast has magnificent propers. Its somber INTROIT is particularly striking—using a haunting tonality—but the COMMUNION with its fauxbourdon verses is also quite remarkable. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Extreme Unction
    Those who search Google for “CCCC MS 079” will discover high resolution images of a medieval Pontificale (“Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 079”). One of the pages contains this absolutely gorgeous depiction of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —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

Random Quote

“Perhaps he had too much sense of humour to be altogether a great man: he lacked pomposity.”

— Msgr. Ronald Knox writing about Father Adrian Fortescue

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
  • PDF • “Cantus Mariales” (192 pages)
  • PDF Download • Fourteen (14) Versions of the Splendid Hymn: “Salve Mater Misericordiae”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • Music List • (2nd Sunday of Lent)

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