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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 · January 15, 2020

What Palestrina Did With Kyrie II (“Fons Bonitatis”)

Many erroneously believe the Kyrie was the only thing troped, but that’s not even close to true.

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2020

A very serious issue

So few Catholics—even those who self-identify as “traditional” Catholics—give consideration to the sins of detraction, gossip, and libel. Some hide behind fake online identities and publish the most vile, dishonest material. Even though these hypocrites think they are “hidden,” God sees everything. By the way, never visit Twitter: it’s not a good place for one’s […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2020

A Phenomenal Epiphany Hymn!

I wish Epiphany lasted forever—the hymns are rich with theology!

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2020

Chocolate as payment?

Church musicians realize we’re currently in tough times, but even the greatest artists did not have everything “exactly as they desired.” Vladimir Horowitz (one of the greatest pianists) was often paid for his concerts with CHOCOLATE instead of money. The Russian economy was awful, and nobody had money. But Horowitz didn’t want chocolate; he wanted […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2020

JMO Copy (inviolable) St. Jean de Lalande Library of Rare Books

JMO Copy (inviolable) St. Jean de Lalande Library of Rare Books “The judicious searcher in this remarkable online collection will certainly reap great rewards for his effort.” — Fr. Robert A. Skeris, Benjamin T. Rome School of Music (CUA) HE SAINT Jean de Lalande Library is derived primarily from Jeff Ostrowski’s personal collection of rare […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2019

Hymn • “A Solis Ortus Cardine” (In English)

The Church’s greatest hymn? Many believe it’s this one.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 30, 2019

PDF Accompaniment • “Jesu Redemptor Omnium”

You can compare my accompaniment to that of Achille P. Bragers.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2019

Video • “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Older Catholic hymnals did funny things with this melody.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2019

“Agincourt” • Do You Know This Hymn?

I insisted that my interpretation was correct. Then she made a comment that haunts me still.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2019

Fr. Peter Gee • My First Chant Teacher

Is it just me, or does England have extremely beautiful churches?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2019

Fantastic! • “Somber Yet Powerful” Advent Hymn

It’s impossible to incorporate all the awesome Advent hymns; the season is too short.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2019

PDF • “Veni Veni Emmanuel” (2 Voices + Organ)

Download this PDF score—free to all—and sing during Advent!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2019

(Archive) • St. Edmund Campion Missal & Hymnal (2nd Edition)

Foreword by Fr. Berg   —   Nine Images   —   2nd Edition Info Table of Contents   —   Executive Summary ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENTS (2 vols.)   —   “How do I open this book properly?” (VIDEOS) INE ART: More than 300 traditional line art illustrations were collected from a special Benedictine archive and […]

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2019

Fr. Wasilewski: “Evil” to Remove Pachamama Idols

His argument about “theft”—such as removing pornography from a church where children might see it—is incorrect and dangerous.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 26, 2019

Are Choirmasters Allowed To Have A Bad Day?

By 1941, Horowitz had been playing Rachmaninov’s 3rd Concerto for 23 years…

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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

Random Quote

We should note that upon being opened up, the Scriptures proved to contain such “rich fare” that parts of the banquet were removed at once from the “table of God’s word,” lest they should prove indigestible to liberal stomachs. In twenty-two places the new lectionary expunges whole verses from the text of the Gospels used at Mass in order to remove references to the Last Judgment, the condemnation of the world, and sin.

— Fr. John Parsons (2001)

Recent Posts

  • Gregorian Chant … with Organ Accompaniment?
  • Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
  • Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

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