Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Andrew Leung · February 1, 2018

A Chinese Mass Setting

A Mass setting from the Far East composed by Fr. Si-Yan Tang.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2018

Video • Ratzinger made a Cardinal by Paul VI

Quite beautiful, but I prefer a different harmonization of “Holy God We Praise Thy Name”…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2018

Sexagesima Sunday (Extraordinary Form)

“Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy…”

Fr. David Friel · January 31, 2018

Sacra Liturgia 2019 in Toronto

Dates for the next Sacra Liturgia conference have just been announced.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · January 30, 2018

Repetition at the School Mass: “Do it again!”

Grown up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.

Andrew Leung · January 30, 2018

Cardinal Zen’s Open Letter

Cardinal Zen explaining the current situation of the Church in China.

Fr. David Friel · January 28, 2018

The Hillbilly Thomists

A New Dominican CD

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2018

PDF Download • “Agnus Dei” … for Lent

…including rehearsal videos for each individual voice!

Veronica Brandt · January 27, 2018

Can You Sing Along to Monks?

A video to supplement our local choir practices – a quick run through Missa Orbis Factor (also known as Mass XI) – the Gregorian Mass setting for Sundays during the year.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2018

Septuagesima Sunday (Extraordinary Form)

“The groans of death surround me, the sorrows of hell encompassed me…”

Andrew Leung · January 25, 2018

FREE • Chant Conducting Seminar

Register now!!! Free online seminar on Gregorian Chant Conducting with Dr. Jennifer Donelson

Jeff Ostrowski · January 24, 2018

English Prayers at EF Mass • How old are they?

The English translation memorized by “Latin Mass” Catholics goes back centuries!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · January 23, 2018

Forward, Ever Forward!

One day, God willing, when He calls you into the New and Eternal Jerusalem, you will discover the eternal consequences of the offering of your widow’s mite.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 22, 2018

PDF Download • Dom Pothier Biography (1947)

“Dom Pothier himself acted as an illustrator, decorating his work with vignettes, illuminated capitals, tailpieces, even full-page illustrations representing the mysteries of the Annunciation and Christmas.”

Fr. David Friel · January 21, 2018

Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of Mary, Queen of the World

Three new choral works featured during this celebration on 13 October 2017.

Music List • “Ascension of the Lord”

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for the The Ascension of the Lord—“Festum Ascensionis Domini”—which is transferred to 17 May 2026 in our diocese. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The OFFERTORY (“Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne”) is particularly beautiful and the ENTRANCE CHANT is simply splendid. As always, readers may go directly to the flourishing feasts website, where the complete Propria Missae may be downloaded free of charge.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”

Yesterday morning, I recorded myself singing the ENTRANCE CHANT for Pentecost Sunday while simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ. Click here to see how that came out. At the end of the antiphon, there’s a triple Allelúja and I just love the chord at the end of the 2nd iteration. The organ accompaniment—along with the musical score for singers—can be downloaded free of charge at the flourishing feasts website. For the record, the antiphon on Pentecost Sunday doesn’t come from a psalm; it comes from the book of Wisdom.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment”

Over the past few years, I’ve been harmonizing all the vernacular plainsong Introit settings by the CHAUMONOT COMPOSERS GROUP. This coming Sunday—10 May 2026—is the 6th Sunday of Easter (Year A). The following declaration will probably smack of “blowing my own horn.” However, I’d rank this accompaniment as my best yet. In this rehearsal video, I attempt to sing it while simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ. The musical score [for singers] as well as my organ accompaniment can be downloaded free of charge from the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”

Few musicians realize that various English translations of Sacred Scripture were granted formal approval by the USCCB and the Vatican for liturgical use in the United States of America. But don’t take my word for it! Here are four documents proving this, which you can examine with your own eyes. Some believe the words “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee” were forbidden after Vatican II—but that’s incorrect. For example, they’re found in the English translation of the ‘Our Father’ at Mass. Moreover, the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) mentioned in those four documents employs “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee.” It was published with a FOREWORD by Westminster’s Roman Catholic Archbishop (John Cardinal Heenan).

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of May (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

Simplified Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)

I published an article on 11 November 2023 called Wedding March For The Lazy Organist, which rather offhandedly made reference to a simplified version I created in 2007 for Pachelbel’s Canon. I often use it as a PROCESSIONAL for weddings and quinceañeras. Many organists say they “hate” Pachelbel’s Canon. But I love it. I think it’s bright and beautiful. I created that ‘simplified version’ for musicians coming to grips with playing the pipe organ. It can be downloaded as a free PDF if you visit Andrea Leal’s article dated 15 August 2022: Manuals Only: Organ Interludes Based on Plainsong. Specifically, it is page 84 in that collection—generously offered as a free PDF download. Johann Pachelbel (d. 1706) was a renowned German organist, violinist, teacher, and composer of over 500 works. A friend of Bach’s family, he taught Johann Christoph Bach (Sebastian Bach’s eldest brother) and lived in his house. Those who read Pachelbel’s biography will notice his connection to two German cities adopted as famous hymn tune names: EISENACH and ERFURT.

—Jeff Ostrowski