Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2015

SATB “Alleluia” By Palestrina • Brief, Easy, & Sumptuous

I dare you NOT to immediately assign this piece to your choir!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2015

A Most Astounding “Graduale” From 1909 … On Modern Staves!

University professors don’t sit around wondering whether they should teach the music of Tomás Luis de Victoria or Marty Haugen.

Cynthia Ostrowski · August 24, 2015

Christmas Gift Idea • Unbelievable Made-By-Hand Wood Carvings!

“Creating these etchings reminds me of my mother’s deep spirituality.” —John McCarthy

Jeff Ostrowski · August 23, 2015

Organ Accompaniment • “Christe Supreme”

When your choir isn’t ready for polyphony…

Fr. David Friel · August 23, 2015

Vesting Prayers • Part 8 of 9

The Chasuble

Veronica Brandt · August 22, 2015

Sacraments and family

God is amazing. Families are amazing. God working in families is amazing.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 22, 2015

The Weirdest Thing About Renaissance Motets

A priest named “Reuschius”…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 20, 2015

One Man I Would Give My Right Arm To Meet In Person

“This honest, magnanimous and public statement made my struggle totally worthwhile.” —Colin Mawby

Andrew Leung · August 20, 2015

The Danger of Praise and Worship

Praise and Worship can be dangerous and confusing…

Jeff Ostrowski · August 19, 2015

Musical Resources • 13th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“We have received, O Lord, thy heavenly sacrament…”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 19, 2015

Chabanel Psalms … In Dutch?

The cantors do something I never thought of in this video…

Jeff Ostrowski · August 18, 2015

Improve Your Parish’s Liturgy … Instantaneously!

“Until we are blue in the face, we could repeat what Vatican II said about Gregorian chant…”

Andrew Leung · August 18, 2015

Summer Sacred Music Workshop — Report

Report on the Summer Sacred Music Workshop in Jasper, GA.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 17, 2015

PDF Download • “Mount Mary Hymnal” (1937)

All 255 pages of this famous hymn book can now be downloaded as a PDF.

Fr. David Friel · August 16, 2015

Vesting Prayers • Part 7 of 9

The Stole

“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

Repugnant Rhymes in Hymns

Repeatedly, I have pointed out that the Brébeuf Hymnal is distinguished (among other things) by its elegant and praiseworthy use of rhyme. I have persistently denounced hymnals with “babyfied” or “predictable” or “bland” rhymes. Let me give an example. I noticed a hymn with a particularly repulsive refrain (in terms of its use of rhyme). The verses were much better, as you can see. It turns out the verses were written by Monsignor Ronald Knox—one of the 20th century’s great poets—but some schmuck “affixed” his banal refrain onto it. Reprehensible!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • Baptism of the Lord

Some have expressed interest in perusing the “ORDER OF MUSIC” I prepared for the Baptism of the Lord (12 January 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The entire EPIPHANY SEASON according to the 1970 liturgical calendar is exceedingly brief, which is a shame because there are so many great Epiphany hymns…

—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