Views from the Choir Loft

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2017

PDF Download • Booklet for Congregation

May I share a secret?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2017

Easter Hymn: “O Filii et Filiæ” • Contemporary setting (SATB)

Pardon my squeaky Soprano notes, but I wanted to demonstrate how it sounds! • A wonderful setting of the haunting “Easter Alleluia” based on a work by Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 20, 2017

PDF Download • Booklet for St. Joseph (19 March)

The absolute best method for choosing starting pitches…

Jeff Ostrowski · March 6, 2017

PDF Download • “Antiphonale Romanum” (1949)

Yesterday, I used the text on page 366 to create an SATB Hymn for Lent.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 21, 2017

PDF Download • “Cantus Varii” (469 Pages)

The revolution continues!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2017

PDF Download • “Sing the Angelus” (Plainchant)

Can you think of a better way to begin your choir rehearsals?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2017

PDF Download • Epiphany Booklet (FSSP.la)

To match the ancient acrostic, Erasmus changed the first line to “Herodis Hostes.”

Andrew Leung · January 5, 2017

PDF Download • “Missa de Angelis” (Fr. Castro)

Fr. Áureo Castro’s setting alternates the chant melody and the choral parts.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2016

PDF Download • “Rorate Mass” Booklet

Including a video snippet taken in Los Angeles.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 8, 2016

PDF Download • Immac. Conception Music Booklet

Make sure to read the translation of the Offertory Hymn—so gorgeous!

Andrew Leung · November 24, 2016

Free Download • Simple Choral Midnight Mass Introit

A simple setting of “Dominus Dixit ad Me” by Fr. Áureo Castro.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 23, 2016

PDF Download • “Ordo Missæ” As We Use It

Do you provide something similar for your choirs?

Guest Author · October 27, 2016

PDF Download • “Mass of the Alabaster Jar” (2016)

These settings were written to be easily played by pianists and organists of an intermediate skill level.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2016

PDF Download • Rare Hymnal by Organist at the Birmingham Oratory (1913)

Download all 572 pages—thanks to Peter Meggison!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 18, 2016

Palestrina • Jaw-Dropping “Kyrie” based on a Hymn

Two generous young ladies, currently in high school, helped me record this gorgeous Kyrie.

“Silent Night” • Easy Organ Arrangement

Here’s an organ accompaniment (PDF) in three different key signatures: MIDDLE, HIGH, and LOW. The Latin lyrics (“Silens Nox”) are courtesy of Father Valentine Young, OFM (d. 2020). The organ harmonies are very simple, yet beautiful. Those who desire such a thing may also download a Singer’s Version. Choirs will ‘pick up’ this piece up with minimal rehearsal time. Here’s a live recording from Midnight Mass from a few years ago: LIVE RECORDING.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Chart For Each Mode”

On 13 December, Dr. Weaver posted an article about the EIGHT CHURCH MODES. I thought it might be helpful to create this mode chart (PDF) which gives the various names for each mode of Gregorian Chant. If you notice any errors, please let me know!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Year’s End Appeal • “Asking for Help”

We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment; we have no major donors; we run no advertisements; we have no savings. As 2024 comes to a close, we could really use your financial support—especially if you have never donated before. Click here to securely donate with any major credit card. Thank you very much!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“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

Epiphany Proclamation 2025

Each year, without fail, someone asks me to typeset the Epiphany Proclamation, an announcement of moveable feasts chanted each year on the feast of the Epiphany. As a result, you may now find an archive of 23 such proclamations in PDF ready to print HERE.

—Veronica Brandt

The Breviary in the Life of the Laity

Recently I have been enjoying looking through the inaugural (1927) edition of a 20th-century liturgical magazine called Orate Fratres. The July 1927 issue included an excellent article by a Chicago laywoman named Ellen Gates Starr entitled “The Delights of the Breviary: From the Point of View of a Lay Woman.” As we in the 21st century have recently undergone a (blessed!) re-translation of the missal into English, and as we await with joyful hope (please God, before Jesus comes back!) a similar re-translation of the breviary, the opening of her article reminded me of that old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Nearly a hundred years ago, she penned words that could just as easily have been written today: “It is indeed a privilege to be allowed any participation, however slight, in the liturgical movement in the Church – the movement to bring back the classics of devotion, the Missal and the Breviary, into general use by the laity. The wonder is that they should ever have fallen into disuse. Nothing can take the place of these great universal prayers of the Church, the prayers of the Mass and the divine Office. One has only to know them to find them indispensable. And alas, how few of the laity know them!” I know that I have been tremendously nourished by regular praying of the breviary as of late, and my wish is that you and I, dear reader, may continue to nourish our interior lives with the official prayer of the Church, which present to us (in the Mass) and extend (in the Office) the fullness of Christ’s greatest gift to us – the gift of Himself – in the Most Holy Eucharist.

—Daniel Tucker