Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 27, 2017

Of the Father’s Love Begotten…

Some day I wouldn’t mind cooking up a good ol’ fashioned Christmas Ball, but ’til then have to content myself with adding a few pounds (or more than a few) in honor of our Lord’s birth.

Veronica Moreno · December 24, 2017

[español] Your Christmas Present

SU REGALO NAVIDEÑO (2014). Jeff Ostrowski y el equipo de CCWatershed comparten ONCE (11) archivos. Incluyen partiduras y apuntes en documentos de PDF, videos de docentes dando clases, y mucho más. ¡Feliz Navidad!

Fr. David Friel · December 24, 2017

Lux Fulgebit: Mass at Dawn of Christmas Day

New recording by the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary’s Church in Norwalk, CT

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2017

Midnight Mass (4th Sunday of December)

“O God, Who hath brightened this most holy night with the shining of the true light…”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2017

Your Christmas Present!

We met our fundraising goal, so you get these items!

Veronica Brandt · December 23, 2017

Epiphany Proclamation 2018

Fifteen years typing up the Proclamation of Moveable Feasts!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2017

Cardinal Sarah to celebrate TLM on 21 May 2018

If this is accurate, it’s marvelous news.

Andrew Leung · December 21, 2017

The Marvels of Choral Singing

A reflection and meditation on choral singing.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 21, 2017

Xmas Image • Print for Children to Color

Courtesy of John Sonnen.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2017

Can You Say “Theft” ?

Unless I am mistaken, John David Chambers stole Neale’s rhymes without attribution.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2017

“Death” • By John Henry Cardinal Newman

No man can deliver his brother, no make agreement unto God for him.

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 19, 2017

Six Videos • Gregorian Chant (2017)

…produced in association with Saint John the Beloved (McLean, Virginia)

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2017

PDF Download • Kyrie “O Magnum Mysterium”

This morning, I recorded the voice parts—but please pardon my screechy soprano notes!

Fr. David Friel · December 17, 2017

Gray Book for Baptism of Children Approved

How will the “confirmatio” and “regonitio” processes unfold in light of “Magnum principium”?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2017

How Should Renaissance Music Be Sung?

Hermann Finck (d. 1558) wrote about choral sound and performance in 1556.

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

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