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 · June 1, 2015

GIA Publications: “Painful Blessing Of A New Sensitivity”

I really don’t “get” the lyrics in Catholic hymnals by the major publishers.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 30, 2015

Musical Resources • Trinity Sunday (1962 Missal)

The last time we sing “Vidi Aquam” is Pentecost Sunday; now we go back to “Asperges Me.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2015

Coolest Liturgical Image Of All Time?

Fantastic photograph taken by our organist during Mass on Sunday…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2015

Polyphony (3 voices) by Morales with Hymn (2 voices) for the Holy Trinity

Including rehearsal videos and special 13th-century hymn to the Most Holy Trinity.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 26, 2015

You Will Want To Print This Liturgical Article

“Once familiar features of the preconciliar rite are now as remote to us as some obscure aboriginal ritual.” —Msgr. McManus (1980)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2015

Flashback • Pope Benedict XVI (Pentecost 2008)

For reasons I don’t fully understand, this chasuble was only worn once.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2015

The Movie “I Confess” Shows A Liturgical Sensibility

Throughout the movie, Hitchcock seems to imitate the liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 22, 2015

“Veni Creator Spiritus” • With An English Translation By Fr. Adrian Fortescue

A plenary indulgence can be gained by singing the “Veni Creator Spiritus” publicly on Pentecost.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 22, 2015

Resources • Pentecost Sunday (1962 Missal)

On Pentecost Sunday, the FSSP Superior General will visit our parish.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 20, 2015

Review • “American Catholic Hymnbook” (1992)

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

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2015

Loading Choir Binders • Take II

I’m afraid this article has no point.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2015

PDF Downloads • Vernacular Mass Settings Published During The 1960s

If they were set upon avoiding the word “men,” I wish ICEL would have done something like “peace on earth to *those* of good will.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2015

Josef Cardinal Frings & Pope Benedict XVI

Joseph Ratzinger, an expert at the Council, was also the private secretary of Cardinal Frings, Archbishop of Cologne.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2015

“Veni Sancte Spiritus” • Sing Directly From An Ancient Manuscript!

Including an (optional) organ accompaniment you won’t want to miss!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2015

Resources • Sunday after the Ascension (1962 Missal)

We are getting close to Pentecost, when the FSSP Superior General will visit our parish.

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

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

“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