Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for October 2024

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2024

Music List • (28th Sund. Ordinary Time)

Readers have expressed interest in looking over the “music list” I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2024

“Unsolved Mysteries” • What Happened To This Institute?

Dom Ermin Vitry, OSB, was in charge of building the pipe organ for the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, IL.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2024

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant in English” for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

This coming Sunday—13 October 2024—is the 28th in Ordinary Time.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 9, 2024

“Entrance Chant” • For Sunday (13-Oct-2024)

This one’s in Mode 3, imitating the authentic Gregorian chant.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 8, 2024

PDF Download • Choral Extension! • (Corresponding to the “Holy, Holy, Holy” of the Missal Chants)

Probably one of the most valuable PDF scores we’ve ever released.

Keven Smith · October 8, 2024

Finding New Motets

It strikes me that many of the best motets my choir sings are ones I found by accident. These are motets that popped up as YouTube suggestions, or that someone mentioned in a Facebook thread and I casually gave them a listen. The lesson? Be open to finding good sacred music even when you’re not […]

William J. Fritz · October 7, 2024

Mass • “Singing” Vs. “Reciting”

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

Jeff Ostrowski · October 7, 2024

The End Is Coming!

I can’t help but wonder if this is…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 5, 2024

Music List • (27th Sund. Ordinary Time)

Readers have expressed interest in looking over the “music list” I have prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 5, 2024

“In Feriis Per Annum” • Kýrie Eléison

For years I’d been meaning to harmonize the famous KYRIE SIMPLEX—but I never got the opportunity until today. Feel free to download the PDF score if you wish. It is “Kyrie XVI,” which in the old books bore the title In Feriis Per Annum.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2024

MONTH OF OCTOBER — “Reminder”

Since a new month has arrived, it’s my pleasure to remind you that…

Veronica Brandt · October 4, 2024

PDF Download • “Vexilla Regis” in 3 or 4 parts, alternating chant & polyphony

A lovely and practical piece with fantastic safety features for any time adoring the Cross of Jesus.

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2024

Rhyme Scheme?

Is this a common ‘thing’ when it comes to hymns in Spanish?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2024

This Coming Sunday’s Resp. Psalm

ICEL wasn’t the only group that produced reprehensible translations in the 1970s…

Dr. Charles Weaver · October 2, 2024

Glancing at Eurydice: Why Read Medieval Theory?

Sometimes the ancients just perfectly capture the essence of some experience that we all share.

“Entrance Chant” for Sunday (3-NOV-2024)

Download the Entrance Antiphon in English for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (3 November 2024). It is based upon the original version, which the post-conciliar reformers borrowed from Wednesday in the 2nd week of Lent. This organ accompaniment corresponds to the vocalist score. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I attempted to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

The Truth About Chant Modality

A true understanding of modality is best gained by prolonged exposure to CARMEN GREGORIANUM. It’s also crucial to understand that classification by modes came later. (Indeed, mode was assigned by a chant’s beginning note at first, not its ending note.) One who studies the MSS realizes there’s often more than one “correct” modal assignment: e.g. “In Excelso” (MISSA DOMINICAE I POST EPIPHANIAM) is assigned to the 8th mode by the official edition, but MONTPELLIER H. 159 considers it 7th mode. “In Die Magno”—for the feast of the Sacred Heart—is assigned differently by different books. Mode 1 verses appear as Mode 6 in certain MSS (and vice versa) because they share the same reciting tone.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Bishop of Jefferson City Forbids Hymns

The bishop of the Jefferson City Diocese has published a list of forbidden hymns. Bishop McKnight earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology. Included on the prohibited list are songs by Marty Haugen, Bernadette Farrell, Rory Cooney, Bob Hurd, Ricky Manalo, David Haas, and Dan Schutte. From a purely musical perspective (i.e. putting textual considerations aside) the forbidden songs come across as rather tawdry—what Monsignor Skeris famously called “sacro-pop.” Not written in a sacred style, they mimic BROADWAY MUSICALS or Disney movies (which are beautiful but inappropriate for church). Indeed, OCP has published Mass settings based on “My Little Pony” cartoons, and recently released (!) a setting which mimics Back To The Future (1985).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Parallel Fifths In Plainsong Accompaniment?

Parallel 5ths are forbidden in Baroque music and Classical music. However, plainsong accompaniment has its own rules and modal style. The great masters sometimes even wrote parallel sevenths! Instances of parallel fifths are too numerous to list in the Nova Organi Harmonia by the LEMMENSINSTITUUT. For example, consider this one. But one must possess a certain expertise to employ them properly. By the way, if you wish to see double parallel fifths, click here.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Singing With The Girls”

A few months ago, I was brand new at my current church. At that time, we had no choir. However, attending the 5:00pm Mass were a few young ladies who sing very well. Right before Mass, we grabbed Kevin Allen’s collection: MOTECTA TRIUM VOCUM. I can’t remember if we had time to go over any of the songs. (If we did, we only went over them once.) Someone made a recording of us singing, and it actually sounds pretty good. I consider that piece—“Dómine, Non Sum Dignus”—to be a masterpiece. The version by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria is also quite beautiful, although the ranges are challenging in Victoria’s version.

—Jeff Ostrowski

A Story of Success!

On Twitter, Jeremy Wayne Tate writes: “Sacred Heart Academy is over 100 years old. But by 2010, it was almost closed with fewer than 50 students. The school had drifted from its mission. But then, under the leadership of Fr. Sirico, it embraced a classical curriculum and daily Mass. Enrollment is now over 400 students.” Mr. Tate also posted a photograph which shows their parish have a terrific hymnal in their pews. It’s part of the diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Director of Sacred Music at Sacred Heart Parish is Jonathan Bading.

—Veronica Moreno