Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

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

Richard J. Clark · August 14, 2015

Entering the Mainstream Conversation

Will Cardinal Sarah’s recent letter make it into the mainstream conversation?

Andrew Leung · August 13, 2015

Thoughts on the “Hymn” for the Year of Mercy?

The Vatican has just introduced the official hymn of the Holy Year Of Mercy. Any thoughts?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 13, 2015

Musical Resources • 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

The “Testament of the Spirit” is the new and permanent covenant established by Jesus Christ between God and men.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 12, 2015

Cardinal Sarah’s Powerful Letter Available In English!

“Adoremus Bulletin” has uploaded a translation of the CDW Prefect’s document.

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

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?

—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

PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.

—Jeff Ostrowski