Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for August 2018

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 31, 2018

New Catholic Choral School…in Detroit!

“Qui bene cantat bis orat!”

Richard J. Clark · August 31, 2018

Join a Choir! Now!

When you sing in a choir, know that you will impact people’s lives in ways you cannot imagine and likely in ways you will never know.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 30, 2018

Simple Mass Propers (1909)

When choirs cannot sing the proper properly…

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · August 29, 2018

Saving the Church, One Choir at a Time

On the ground in our parishes and in our choirs is where the truth lies. Let us not retreat.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 27, 2018

PDF • Scottish Catholic Hymnal (453 Pages)

“Authorized by the archbishops and bishops of Scotland for use in the Scottish dioceses.”

Andrew Leung · August 23, 2018

New Discovery in Canada

Some great contemporary choral works from a Canadian composer.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 22, 2018

“Adoro Te Devote” • A Bad Translation in Hymnals

How can people claim this is a translation of the hymn by St. Thomas Aquinas?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 21, 2018

14th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“Now if God so clothe the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more you, O ye of little faith!”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 20, 2018

“Vatican II Hymnal” (1974) by Terry L. Haws

“It is also tragic to note that the hymnal was officially approved by the music commission of the Archdiocese of Seattle.” —Fr. Joseph Roff

Jeff Ostrowski · August 16, 2018

Rehearsal videos • “Gloria” by Father Victoria

How important is honesty?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 15, 2018

13th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“Have regard, O Lord, to Thy covenant, and forsake not to the end the souls of Thy poor.”

Andrew Leung · August 14, 2018

A Chinese “Ave Maria”

Ave Maria composed in Chinese style by Mons. Anthony CM Lau.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 13, 2018

PDF Download • “Leeds Catholic Hymnal” (232 pages)

A hymnal out of print for fifty years has been scanned by Mr. Colin E. Jackson!

Fr. David Friel · August 12, 2018

The New Spanish Missal as Opportunity

Seizing the Moment to Sing a Truly New Song to the Lord

Richard J. Clark · August 10, 2018

Janet Hunt and Music of the Pipe Organ • “On a Sacred Note”

Catholic TV focuses on the indispensable role of the pipe organ with Janet Hunt.

Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?

In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Lent (22 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. Traditionally, this Sunday was called ‘Passion’ Sunday. Starting in 1956, certain church leaders attempted rename both ‘Passion’ Sunday and ‘Palm’ Sunday—but it didn’t work. For example, Monsignor Frederick McManus tried to get people to call PALM SUNDAY “Second Passion Sunday”—but the faithful rejected that. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Holy Thursday, which is 2 April 2026. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more piercingly beautiful INTROIT, and I have come to absolutely love the SATB version of ‘Ubi cáritas’ we are singing (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir). I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

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 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