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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 13, 2024

Organ Accomp. • “Ascension Hymn at Vespers”

The soul-stirring hymn used on ASCENSION THURSDAY at Vespers—and also used on the Sunday which follows the Ascension—was called in the 7th century: “Jesu Nostra Redemptio.” After 1631AD, the title of that hymn was changed to “Salutis Humanae Sator.” The melody assigned by the Vatican Commission on Gregorian Chant is rather mournful (and very difficult […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2024

“For The First Time” • Our Choir Sings In Spanish!

That changed last week!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2024

Hymn for the Ascension

Here is a ‘live’ recording from the Mass on Ascension Thursday (2024): Hymn for the Ascension. I could not be prouder of this parish choir, which consists 100% of volunteers. To learn more about this hymn, please visit #704 in the hymn portal. I have argued that—in addition to CARMEN GREGORIANUM, organ music, and polyphony—hymns […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2024

“Praise To The Lord” • Simple Accomp.

In case you missed the full article I posted the other day on Views from the Choir Loft, feel free to download a PDF version of my simplified organ accompaniment for the famous hymn “Praise To The Lord,” which is often paired with LOBE DEN HERREN. I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2024

“Yes or No?” • Should We Give People the Sacred Music They Ardently Crave?

Some of them became “obsessed” with this SATB arrangement—𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2024

A Wonderful Woman Eviscerates The Argument Of An Infamous Liturgical Radical

Diekmann believed all the saints over the last 1,200 years—as well as the fathers of Vatican II—were dead wrong about the liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2024

Protected: Don’t Share • “Cantoral del Padre Antonio Daniel”

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 5, 2024

MONTH OF MAY • “Reminder”

Each day, I speak via telephone to folks who have supported Corpus Christi Watershed for years. Many of them don’t know about our email newsletter! Please sign up! Simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address. Thank you!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 3, 2024

“The English Mozart” • Who Was That?

Including a hymn suitable for a Catholic wedding (“Nuptial Mass”).

Jeff Ostrowski · May 3, 2024

Anglican Ordinariate: “A Hymn For Saint Joseph”

With a digression on Cardinal Antonelli and the feast of “Saint Joseph the Artisan” (1 May).

Jeff Ostrowski · May 2, 2024

PDF Download • “Ad Regias” Hymn

Upon hearing this special rendition of the ancient Roman Catholic hymn for Eastertide known as “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” several readers requested the score. You may now download the PDF Score (4 pages) completely free of charge. [Rehearsal videos for each individual part are waiting for you at #33013.] For the record, prior to 1632AD […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 2, 2024

Singing Bach At Mass? • “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

I wouldn’t argue if somebody made the claim that Sebastian Bach was “the most musical person who ever lived.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2024

PDF Download • Simplified Accompaniment for the famous Hymn: “Praise To The Lord”

According to Monsignor Franz Stemmer, the famous hymn “Praise to the Lord” originally came from the 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘦𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘶𝘤𝘩 (1665).

Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2024

Organ Accompaniment Booklet (20 pages)

This coming Sunday in the Extraordinary Form will be the Fifth Sunday after Easter. Each week, everyone can freely visit this page, downloading such booklets (as it were) directly from the source. Nevertheless, I’d like to draw your attention to the ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENT BOOKLET (20 pages) for Vespers in the Extraordinary Form: Dominica V Post […]

Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2024

Random Psalm Tone! • (1962 Weddings)

I believe it’s better to sing a Psalm Tone with excellence rather than attempt the authentic CARMEN GREGORIANUM (Gregorian Chant) in a plodding, lifeless, poorly-executed way. To that end, I have created this Fifth Mode Psalm Tone version for the COMMUNION CHANT assigned to 1962 Missal weddings. The Nuptial Mass is sometimes called “Pro Sponso […]

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President’s Corner

    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simple click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
    The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
    German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest. Notice they also added a ‘tailpiece’ or ‘playout’ or postlude at the end—a very German thing to do!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —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

Random Quote

“The following question is asked by the Most Reverend Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Chur: May this Diocese’s ancient custom be continued of having the Celebrant in Sung Masses (excepting more solemn Masses) intone the Credo and when he is finished reciting it going on immediately to the offertory and finishing it while the credo is being sung by the choir?” (Dubium of Dec 1909)

— 11 December 1909

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Rarer Than a Blue Moon” — Side-by-Side English Translation (Pius XII Psalter)
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
  • PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
  • ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns

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