Views from the Choir Loft

President's Corner

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • Presentation (2 Febr.)

This English adaptation imitates the authentic Gregorian Chant version in a splendid way.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2025

The Mystery Has Been Solved

For more than twenty years, I’ve been searching for…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2025

2 February • “Communion”

I would say: “Somewhat dark, yet beautiful”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 24, 2025

“Music List” • 3rd Sunday (Ord. Time)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 24, 2025

Only Every Three Years…

Communion antiphon for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • 3rd Sunday (Ord. Time)

This English adaptation uses a Tetrardus mode, as does the authentic Gregorian Chant version.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 20, 2025

PDF • “Gloria VIII” on 5 lines!

As of a few minutes ago, you can freely download this PDF score.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 18, 2025

“Music List” • 2nd Sunday (Ord. Time)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2025

“2-Voice Piece” • For February 2nd

The hymn traditionally sung on the feast of the Purification.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 15, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • 2nd Sunday (Ord. Time)

This English adaptation matches the mode of the authentic Gregorian Chant version.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2025

Repugnant Rhymes in Hymns

This stuck out like a sore thumb.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2025

“Music List” • Baptism of the Lord

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” I prepared…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • Baptism of the Lord

This English adaptation matches the mode of the authentic Gregorian Chant version.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2025

Hidden Treasure!

What are you waiting for?

Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?

In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Lent (22 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. Traditionally, this Sunday was called ‘Passion’ Sunday. Starting in 1956, certain church leaders attempted rename both ‘Passion’ Sunday and ‘Palm’ Sunday—but it didn’t work. For example, Monsignor Frederick McManus tried to get people to call PALM SUNDAY “Second Passion Sunday”—but the faithful rejected that. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Holy Thursday, which is 2 April 2026. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more piercingly beautiful INTROIT, and I have come to absolutely love the SATB version of ‘Ubi cáritas’ we are singing (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir). I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.

—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