Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · March 8, 2016

Undoing A “Wreckovation” Is Possible

A positive church transformation!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 7, 2016

PDF Download • “New Westminster Hymnal” (1939)

Can Watershed survive? (Part 4)

Fr. David Friel · March 6, 2016

Parish Lenten Programs • 15 Suggestions

Simply adhering to the liturgical traditions of the Church would be a wonderful Lenten program for every parish.

Guest Author · March 5, 2016

“To Sing With The Angels” • A History Of The Twin Cities Catholic Chorale

A guest article by Dr. Virginia A. Schubert.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 5, 2016

“Ave Maris Stella” • Take II

Have you ever changed your mind with regard to tempo?

Andrew Leung · March 3, 2016

Video • Why is Modern Art so Bad?

Why do we see so many ugly modern churches nowadays?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 3, 2016

Rehearsal Videos • My Favorite Lenten Hymn

Can Watershed survive? (Part 3)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2016

PDF Download • “Woodward Hymnal” (1913) … Outrageously Rare!

Can Watershed survive? (Part 2)

Dr. Lucas Tappan · March 1, 2016

Choir and Cantor?

Please, let the choir lead!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2016

| Part 1 of 3 | • “Kyrie Eleison” (SATB) within the reach of any choir!

Can Watershed survive? (Part 1)

Christopher Mueller · February 29, 2016

The Domestic Church and the domestic schola

The family that sings together prays together.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2016

Musical Resources • 3rd Sunday of Lent (EF)

“…free us from all sins and dangers, as Thou dost grant us to be sharers in this great mystery…”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2016

Catholic Hymns Before Vatican II Will Shock You!

In spite of what you may have read online, hymns in English were often sung during Low Mass.

Richard J. Clark · February 26, 2016

Sounds from the Spires • SiriusXM Radio • Jennifer Pascual

Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral hosts a weekly radio program on sacred music.

Andrew Leung · February 25, 2016

Video • The Altar Server “Must See”

The altar server plays a very important role in the liturgy.

“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