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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 · September 25, 2018

2015 Review • “American Catholic Hymnbook”

“Hymns that are directed to the Trinity should not be used, no matter how familiar they may be.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 20, 2018

18th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“O God, Who, through the august communication of this sacrifice, dost make us partakers of the one supreme divinity…”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 19, 2018

Can You Say “Theft” ??

Robert Campbell is an excellent translator of the Breviary—but even the best steal.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 18, 2018

Ronald Knox • His Actual Voice!

A fascinating radio address by Msgr. Knox covering topics related to the Incarnation.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2018

17th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“We implore Thy majesty, O Lord, that the holy mysteries we are celebrating may free us of past and save us from future sins.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2018

A Dramatic Moment

The Bells, Gloria, and Organ all return at once.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2018

“The Story Of The Adoremus Hymnal”

Dr. Kurt Poterack served as chairman of the editorial committee.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 3, 2018

16th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honorable than thou be invited by him…”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 30, 2018

Simple Mass Propers (1909)

When choirs cannot sing the proper properly…

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.”

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.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Palm Sunday—a.k.a. “Dominica in palmis de Passione Domini”—which is 29 March 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The OFFERTORY (Impropérium exspectávit cor meum) is quite moving. Even though the COMMUNION ANTIPHON is relatively simple, the Fauxbourdon makes it sound outstanding.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?
    He who examines Laudes Dei: a hymnal for Catholic congregations (St. Louis, 1894) will discover this pairing of a hymn for Easter. For the record, this isn’t the only Catholic hymn book to marry that text and melody; e.g. Saint Mark’s Hymnal for Use in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States (Peoria, 1910) does the same thing. Sometimes an unexpected pairing—chosen with sensitivity—can be superb, forcing singers to experience the text in a ‘fresh’ and wonderful way. On the other hand, we sometimes encounter something I’ve called “PERNICIOUS HYMN PAIRINGS.” If you find the subject in intriguing, feel free to peruse an article I published in May of 2023. As always, my email inbox is open if you have a bone to pick with my take.
    —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

“How on earth in the [post-conciliar] liturgy for the dead should there be no more mention of sin and expiation? There’s a complete absence of imploring the Lord’s mercy. […] Although the texts were beautiful they were still lacking in the sense of sin and the sense of mercy. But we need this! And when my final hour comes, ask for mercy for me from the Lord, because I have such need of it!”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (3 June 1971)

Recent Posts

  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)
  • Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?

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