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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 29, 2023

Re: Ancient Sequence (Thursday after Pentecost)

A priest saw her article and provided—for the first time in history—a literal English translation!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 27, 2023

PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”

If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It’s based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 26, 2023

“Are Church Musicians Paid Enough?” • 5 Solutions

With a digression on Corrinne May’s upcoming presentation.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 24, 2023

Analysis • “Archaic and Quack Ideas on Chant”

“Gentlemen: Nobody is going to follow the archaic and quack ideas on Chant you are trying to propagate.” Mr. John Sandar

Jeff Ostrowski · May 23, 2023

“Singing Advice” • Frank Sinatra to Ronald Reagan

Did Dom Mocquereau compose any official plainsong pieces included in the official edition? He did!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2023

Introit • (This Coming Sunday)

Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here’s my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2023

“Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” • (Hymn)

My colleague, Patrick Williams, has given me permission to share with our audience a recording his choir made.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2023

Sacred Music • Inspiring Letter From “Jane Doe”

Letters like this prove there are still awesome people in this world!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2023

Understanding “Bewitched” Can Help You Appreciate Classical Music

There was no explanation given for why “Darrin Stephens” was suddenly a completely different person.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Third Response to Patrick” (16 May 2023)

I don’t think our readers are interested in what we say about Gregorian rhythm—they’re interested only in what we can demonstrate.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”

My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year’s Sacred Music Symposium. If you’re interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

PDF Download • César Franck Book of Gregorian Chant Accompaniments (156 Pages)

“The organ is so universally used as an accompanying instrument today that there is a pressing need to provide a written accompaniment…” —César Franck

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

FEEDBACK • 15 May 2023

From a reader in New Hampshire: “I just love your articles and resources! You provide an excellent resource!”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2023

PDF Download • Extremely Rare! Organ Accompaniment Book (165 pages)

Including an “added bonus” I discovered while researching Julius Bas (an Italian musicologist and organist).

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2023

7 Suggestions • “Winning the Sacred Music Crusade”

If we truly believe what we say we believe, how can we allow goofy, off-Broadway, secular, casual music at Mass?

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Communion” (5th Sunday in Ordin.)
    The COMMUNION ANTIPHON for this coming Sunday, 8 February 2026—which is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)—is truly delightful. You can download the musical score completely free of charge. This text will be familiar to altar boys, because it’s PSALM 42. The Feder Missal makes the following claim about that psalm: “A hymn of a temple musician from Jerusalem: he is an exile in a heathen land, and he longs for the holy city and his ministry in the Temple there. The Church makes his words her own.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Funeral Music “Template” • For Families
    Many have requested the MUSICAL TEMPLATE for funerals we give to families at our parish. The family of the deceased is usually involved in selecting Number 12 on that sheet. This template was difficult to assemble, because the “Ordo Exsequiarum” has never been translated into English, and the assigned chants and hymns are given in different liturgical books (Lectionary, Gradual, Order of Christian Funerals, and so on). Please notify me if you spot errors or broken links. Readers will be particularly interested in some of the plainsong musical settings, which are truly haunting in their beauty.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “To Cover Sin With Smooth Names”
    Monsignor Ronald Knox created several English translations of the PSALTER at the request of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. Readers know that the third edition of the Saint Edmund Campion Missal uses a magnificent translation of the ROMAN CANON (and complete Ordo Missae) created in 1950 by Monsignor Knox. What’s interesting is that, when psalms are used as part of the Ordo Missae, he doesn’t simply copy and paste from his other translations. Consider the beautiful turn of phrase he adds to Psalm 140 (which the celebrant prays as he incenses crucifix, relics, and altar): “Lord, set a guard on my mouth, a barrier to fence in my lips, lest my heart turn to thoughts of evil, to cover sin with smooth names.” The 3rd edition of the CAMPION MISSAL is sleek; it fits easily in one’s hand. The print quality is beyond gorgeous. One must see it to believe it! You owe it to yourself—at a minimum—to examine these sample pages from the full-color section.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (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. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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
    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

Ronald Knox explained why the Modernists do not compose hymns: “Birds of prey have no song.”

— Fr. George William Rutler (2016)

Recent Posts

  • PDF • “Communion” (5th Sunday in Ordin.)
  • “Pipe Organ Interlude During Funerals?” • (Reader Feedback)
  • Funeral Music “Template” • For Families
  • “To Cover Sin With Smooth Names”
  • Heretical Hymns

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