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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 · May 21, 2025

Is the USCCB trolling us?

Confusing! The 2nd reading & Gospel from the 7th Sunday of Easter may be read on the 6th Sunday of Easter.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 21, 2025

What No Musicologist Can Explain!

How glorious is Gregorian Chant!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 20, 2025

“Common” Responsorial Psalm?

I try never to argue about liturgical legislation…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2025

A Gentleman (Whom I Don’t Know) Approached Me After Mass Yesterday And Said…

Some may enjoy these eight brief articles on the sacred liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2025

“Music List” • 5th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2025

Communion Chant (5th Sunday of Easter)

This particular chant was “rescued” from obscurity in 1969.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 13, 2025

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for the Fifth Sunday of Easter

I’m not a bishop. I’m not even a priest. I’m a husband & father who just wants to make it to heaven.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2025

“Sanctus XVIII” • Peculiar-Yet-Haunting Accompaniment (Sent To Us)

“When the Vatican Edition began coming off the press in 1905, its strongest supporters did not expect it to last until 1960…” —Mons. Schmitt

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2025

“Music List” • 4th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 8, 2025

Cardinal Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) “Privately Offered the TLM in His Private Chapel”

Allegedly, the source of this information “had the only indult to say the TLM at the USCCB office in Baltimore back in the 1990s.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 8, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • 4th Sunday of Easter

This “Entrance Chant” is used during liturgical years A, B, and C.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2025

Music List • “Repertoire for Weddings”

When couples are getting married, they often request musical guidance.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2025

Beginning a Men’s Schola

I feel like we have a great start…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 5, 2025

“Basic Catechism of Gregorian Chant” • Fifteen Questions Answered

“Kids, you’re only on this floating rock for a very short time.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 5, 2025

“Reminder” — Month of May (2025)

Since a new month has arrived, it’s my pleasure to remind you that…

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President’s Corner

    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
    Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
    In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.
    —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

“Just before he left Letchworth, as he well knew to meet his death, he turned and bade good-bye to his little church, and silently kissed the altar-stone on which he had so frequently offered Mass.”

— From the life of Father Adrian Fortescue

Recent Posts

  • Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)
  • Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?
  • “Priest Saying Mass” • Medieval Illumination
  • From Sentiment to Sacrament: Reclaiming Sacred Music for the Wedding Mass
  • Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?

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