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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

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · March 20, 2020

What Frightens Me

The world’s experts have been releasing contradictory statements Re: Covid-19. I am neither a doctor nor a scientist, so I won’t comment; but I have something to say about the spine-tingling predictions made by certain politicians. When I was growing up, they told us “within ten years” we would starve due to overpopulation. The next […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 18, 2020

Official Statement on Coronavirus

The 2020 Sacred Music Symposium “Official Statement” on Coronavirus has been posted; I encourage everyone to read it. I would like to share some advice: (1) avoid excessive amounts of “cable news” reporting on the pandemic, similar to how we diligently avoid immoral magazines and pornography; (2) let us pray for God’s mercy, and let […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2020

The Ability To Say “I Don’t Know”

Father Valentine Young, OFM, always spoke about people incapable of saying “I don’t know.”  Such people have an answer for everything—as if saying “I don’t know” would cause them physical pain.  That’s how I acted growing up, but I stopped when I reached maturity.  Another thing I did as a kid was insist that I […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2020

Disturbing Trend

Have you noticed how many people these days don’t know what an analogy is?  If I say to John Doe, “that’s the pot calling the kettle black,” frequently John Doe will go around telling everybody I called him an ugly pot.  It’s quite disturbing.  I’ve also noticed that many Americans believe the definition of “possible” […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2020

PDF Download • The Most Difficult Piece! (Sacred Music Symposium 2020)

Including the “official statement” regarding the Coronavirus.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2020

Video (50 seconds) • “Long Lines At California Costco”

I’m not even sure what to say about this.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 16, 2020

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniment for “Audi Benigne Conditor” (Vespers Hymn for Lent)

Finding the “perfect” accompaniment for hymns can be challenging. Here is my attempt.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2020

Errors in the “Complete Works” of Father Cristóbal de Morales

Monsignor Higinio Anglés, a Spanish priest and musicologist, was director of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2020

Internet Bullies

Any Christian who tries to make a difference in the sacred music world must expect to face opposition and scorn. Today, the attacks will frequently come from “internet cowards” who hide behind false names, fake biographies, anonymous blogs, and so forth. Falsehoods and calumnies from anonymous sources are impossible to debunk—because recognition is what they […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 11, 2020

A Hymn We’re Singing This Lent—In English!

Have you heard of the “People’s Mass Book,” published by Omer Westendorf in 1964?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 10, 2020

Former Executive Director (USCCB Liturgy Committee) Distorts Holy Week Permitted By Pope Francis

Pope Francis was right to allow the Pre-1955 Holy Week. Father Krisman is incorrect to suggest it will “hurt people.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 7, 2020

Father Cristóbal de Morales • “Missa Mille Regretz”

Some believe Stevenson was the greatest musicologist of all time, but I believe he made an error here.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 6, 2020

Singing in the Papal Choir during the 16th century…

“Juan Sánchez, first admitted in June, 1529, was the most flamboyant member of the generally hot-tempered Spanish section of the choir. In January, 1540, not wishing to sing the part allotted him by the director, he hit him “in the presence of the Sacrament,” thus creating a “very great scandal.” He was imprisoned, but the […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 5, 2020

Excerpt (November, 1545) for Choir Members at the Vatican

There were about 32 singers: “A singer need not be in holy orders but must be a man of honor and of good repute. When a new member is proposed, his character shall first be examined, and then he shall be brought to a musical examination conducted by the choir members themselves. The first requisite […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 3, 2020

PDF Download • Catholic Hymnal by the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio (84 Pages)

An extremely rare hymnal compiled by the Most Rev’d Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Sanctus VIII” • Organ Accompaniment
    A few days ago, I composed this organ harmonization for SANCTUS VIII. This Mass is traditionally called Missa de ángelis or “Mass of the angels.” In French, it is Messe de Anges. You can evaluate my attempt to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ (click here) while singing the melody. My parish is currently singing this setting.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (5th Sund. Ordinary Time)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday, 8 February 2026, which is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. You will probably notice it isn’t as ‘complete’ or ‘spiffy’ as usual, owing to some difficulties which took place this week.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Communion” (5th Sunday in Ordin.)
    The COMMUNION ANTIPHON for this coming Sunday, 8 February 2026—which is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)—is truly delightful. You can download the musical score completely free of charge. This text will be familiar to altar boys, because it’s PSALM 42. The Feder Missal makes the following claim about that psalm: “A hymn of a temple musician from Jerusalem: he is an exile in a heathen land, and he longs for the holy city and his ministry in the Temple there. The Church makes his words her own.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

When a friend speaks of his accomplishments and triumphs, he stands at a distance from our heart. When he shares his weaknesses and failings, he’s very near.

— Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Recent Posts

  • Pope Paul VI • “Sacrificium Laudis” (15 Aug 1966)
  • “Sanctus VIII” • Organ Accompaniment
  • PDF Download • Sanctus VIII Organ Accompaniment (“Mass of the Angels”)
  • Gorgeous Image of Monks Singing!
  • “Let the Choir Have a Voice” • Jeff Ostrowski’s Essay on Choral Music in the Catholic Mass

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