Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Fr. David Friel · June 25, 2017

Composition with Pencil & Paper or Computer Software?

A lunch-time conversation at Sacred Music Colloquium 2017 in St. Paul, MN

Richard J. Clark · June 24, 2017

“Do not let anyone make you feel discouraged.”

Made in God’s image? Really? That’s debatable from my all too human eyes. By the way, I’ve got huge planks in both of them.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 21, 2017

Holy Week Bulletin from 1943

Notice when the ceremonies begin!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2017

Jaw-Dropping Kyrie (SATB) by Guerrero

I recorded all the voice parts, to demonstrate how it sounds…

Fr. David Friel · June 18, 2017

Silence in the Liturgy

Thoughts from Pope Benedict XVI, Msgr. Guido Marini, and the GIRM

Guest Author · June 14, 2017

Wearing the Veil at Ordinary Form Masses?

A guest article by Danielle Duet.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 13, 2017

Nothing More Corny Than This

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in d minor…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 13, 2017

Forming the Next Generation of Church Musicians

Until we start forming our youth in the Church’s treasury of sacred music we will continue contracepting our musical future to death.

Fr. David Friel · June 12, 2017

Liturgical Reflections of a Papal Master of Ceremonies

Essays from Msgr. Guido Marini

Jeff Ostrowski · June 12, 2017

First Solemn Mass • Fr. Joseph Favole, FSSP

Capstone to the upcoming Sacred Music Symposium!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 11, 2017

Benedictus has been posted!

Extremely short blog post…

Richard J. Clark · June 9, 2017

I forgot to tell them it’s supposed to be hard.

It never occurred to him that this would be hard, or that he wouldn’t do well. He just thought it would be fun.

Richard J. Clark · June 8, 2017

Introit • Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity • Free Download

Free download of an Introit for Holy Trinity (Years A&B). English text; SATB, organ, schola/cantor, and congregation.

Andrew Leung · June 8, 2017

Live Recording from Macau Cathedral

A Live recording of early Renaissance music from the Far East!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 6, 2017

Scientia Linguæ Latinæ Voluptatem Et Gaudium Affert!

Unfortunately my avocation of church musician doesn’t allow me to sidestep the Latin vs. vernacular issue any more than a house painter is able to avoid paint.

“Music List” • 2nd Sunday (Ord. Time)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the “ORDER OF MUSIC” I prepared for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (19 January 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT and COMMUNION ANTIPHON strike me as particularly beautiful.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“2-Voice Piece” • For February 2nd

This year, the feast of the PRESENTATION (a.k.a. “Purification”) falls on a Sunday. There’s an ancient hymn traditionally sung on this feast. Based upon #124 in the Brébeuf Hymnal, an arrangement has been made for two voices: men on the bottom, ladies on top. Some will desire to download this score (PDF), which has been made available for free.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • 2nd Sunday (Ord. Time)

Download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (19 January 2025). This English adaptation matches the mode of the version in Gregorian Chant. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I attempted to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

The Dedication of a Musician

I am reading the biography of a musician (Leo Sowerby), and I read a quote that makes my head shake in sorrow: “[Sowerby] also cultivated a rhetoric that pushed aside questions of his personal life, stating repeatedly for instance it would be impossible for him to do what he did as a musician while also being married.” I think most readers of this blog who cultivate an active Catholic life and who diligently follow the teachings of the Church in its fullness might agree: one cannot be a good husband/wife/father/mother/priest/religious and become one of those rarified musicians who are able to dedicate all their time to hone their craft. However, might I suggest that this wholly misses the point of being an artist. St. John Paul II says that man is generous by nature. In other words, it is in the very being of what it is to be human to be giving of oneself. An artist who is truly living their God-given talent gives freely of themselves first in their vocation, and then their contemplation of beauty will not be stifled by their life in communion with others. Rather, that giving of self is the underlying impetus and drive that will influence and mold their art in ways that living a worldly-minded, “self-fulfilled” life can never do. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

—William J. Fritz

“Reader Feedback” • 6 January 2025

A message we received: “Thank you so much for all of your tireless and selfless work in building up the Kingdom of God and Helping us on the path toward heaven! Your work for many years now has borne much fruit in my life and in the lives of whom I work with. May the Lord bless and protect your very important apostolate.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Lessons and Carols”

Seen online! Dr. Samuel Backman conducted a “Lessons and Carols” service with his choir, and someone produced this lovely vignette.

—Corpus Christi Watershed