Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · February 8, 2018

Brave Schola Director Posts “Live” Recording 1

…recorded on 28 January 2018.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 6, 2018

Music in Catholic Schools

The Church possesses a tool of immense value.

Fr. David Friel · February 3, 2018

“Transfigured” Young Adult Liturgy Conference

A summer conference at The Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, IL

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!

Buckfast Abbey Weighs In

Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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