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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 · August 2, 2014

How Dare We Complain?

Can you imagine trying to feed your family in the year 1300AD?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 31, 2014

“Convent Mass” For Two Sopranos — A. E. Tozer (1911)

Published in 1911, this “Convent Mass” is for two sopranos.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 30, 2014

Difference Between “Modern” and “Dark Ages”

Does modern architecture compare favorably to the architecture of the dark ages?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 29, 2014

Are Priests Permitted To Add More Scripture To The Ordinary Form? Yes!

Vatican II wanted more Scripture in the Mass, but somehow the reformers missed that memo.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 28, 2014

Staunchly Pro-Life: Former Supermodel, Kathy Ireland

“At the moment of conception, a new life comes into being. The DNA—the genetic blueprint—is there.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 27, 2014

The Improbable Triumph Of The Latin Mass

“Complete equality of status for the old rite of Mass alongside the new rite … is just not going to happen.” — Fr. Brian W. Harrison (26 March 1995)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 25, 2014

PDF Download: Mocquereau’s 1903 “Liber Usualis”

No longer the only one … but that’s OK.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 22, 2014

Altar Servers Caught In The Act?

These altar boys are going to get in trouble.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 22, 2014

The Supreme Court & Traditional Liturgy

In my opinion, Fr. Paul Scalia’s face resembles that of his father (Justice Antonin Scalia) … but I could be completely wrong about this.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 22, 2014

PHOTO: Cardinal Ratzinger Saying The Latin Mass

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass in Weimar (Germany) in 1989 and 1999.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 20, 2014

Basic Steps To Improve Music At Your Parish — Part 6

You will not make progress at your parish unless you understand Pope Benedict’s “Unbelievably Big Kite” theory.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2014

Three Painless Ways To Begin Singing Propers … Without Losing Your Job

A peritus of the Council once suggested that certain parties detest the Mass Propers because they’re almost impossible to “hijack” with heterodox theology.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2014

Diary of Cardinal Antonelli (1964): “How Exactly Should The Vatican II Mass Look?”

If Pope Pius V or Gregory the Great were to come back, they ought to see that the Mass after Vatican II has substantially remained the same.” — Secretary of the Consilium

Jeff Ostrowski · July 18, 2014

Inaccurate Statements About Translations Of The Mass Propers (A Pet Peeve)

The quickest way to make this clear to a skeptical priest or liturgist is to request that they bring you some Offertory antiphons from MR3. (They don’t exist!)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 17, 2014

PDF Download: “Propers” by A. Edmonds Tozer and “Propers” by Father Theodore Labouré

“The law of the Church plainly declares that, whenever High Mass is celebrated, the Proper of the Mass must be sung or at least recited.” — Fr. Labouré (1922)

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
    Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)
    I believe 99% of our readers will recognize this hymn tune. Perhaps Father Edgard De Laet should have called it a ‘hymn’ instead of a ‘motet for three voices’—but he’s technically correct, since MOTET is defined as: “a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic and unaccompanied.” The even verses are for three voices, as you will see if you download the PDF score at #20245. The odd verses may be song a cappella SATB or unison with organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Hymn for 2 Voices”
    Readers who click on this video will see that it starts with verses of the “Pange Lingua” hymn by Saint Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274) arranged for two voices. However, there’s a polyphonic refrain (“Tantum Ergo”) for three voices, taken from Kevin Allen’s Motecta Trium Vocum. If your choir is very small, this piece is for you! You can download the PDF score free of charge—and you can also utilize the rehearsal videos for each individual voice—by navigating yourself to #20323.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Reminder” — Month of January (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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —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

Luys de Villafranca, master of the altar boys—who are to be distinguished from the choirboys (“seises”) because they study only plainchant whereas the choirboys live with the chapelmaster and study polyphony and counterpoint as well—is rewarded on October 17 with a salary increase of 6,000 maravedís and an extra 12 bushels of wheat.

— Sevilla Cathedral: Chapter Resolution (7 September 1565)

Recent Posts

  • Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
  • PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
  • PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)
  • PDF Download • “Hymn for 2 Voices”
  • (January 2026) • “Children Singing Plainsong”

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