Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Andrew Leung · November 10, 2016

CMAA Winter Sacred Music 2017

Early Registration is still available for Winter Sacred Music 2017 (Birmingham, AL).

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2016

Musical Resources • 13 November (1962 Missal)

He said, “Make room there; for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth.” And they laughed Him to scorn.

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 9, 2016

Sonnen: “I’ve never seen such a fine work of art.”

Spot an ancient chasuble or rare picture of St. Wojtyła? Odds are it came from John Paul Sonnen.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2016

Complete “Ite Missa Est” for Parish Organist

Accompaniments by Achille P. Bragers (1887-1955).

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2016

Hysteria Over CDW Appointments?

Including two myths: one about the EF, and one about the OF.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2016

Do You Recognize This Hymn Tune? 1

The Brébeuf hymnal will include texts by contemporary Roman Catholic poets.

Guest Author · November 7, 2016

Catholic Liturgy in Secular Sweden

How does a tiny Catholic community in a secularized country celebrate Mass with the Pope?

Fr. David Friel · November 6, 2016

A Triptych on Mercy • Reflection I

The Meaning of Mercy

Richard J. Clark · November 4, 2016

Seraphim Singers Premiere “I Am the Land: A Poem in Memory of Óscar Romero”

Assassinated on March 24, 1980 while saying Mass, Romero was beatified by Pope Francis on May 23, 2015.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 4, 2016

Musical Resources • 6 November (Extraordinary Form)

“Grant that…through this sacrament which we have received, whatever is evil in our hearts may be restored by its gift of healing.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 3, 2016

New Release! • “Dies Irae” Rehearsal Video

Also includes a printable score with literal English translation!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 1, 2016

“Sanctus” Recorded By Young Ladies From Las Vegas • Fabulous!

Palestrina cleverly interweaves an ancient hymn.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 30, 2016

“Kyrie VIII” Organ Accompaniment by Flor Peeters

…with the Solesmes markings.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 30, 2016

Musical Resources • Feast of Christ the King

“Ask of Me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance…”

Fr. David Friel · October 30, 2016

The “Cantiones Sacrae” of William Byrd & Thomas Tallis

Why was this 1575 collection a financial failure?

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 Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—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