Views from the Choir Loft

Videos • Church Music Association of America

ACRED, BEAUTIFUL, AND UNIVERSAL is a 60-minute movie directed by Jeff Ostrowski (current President of Watershed) with footage from Sacred Music Colloquium XIX. The documentary explains why the Catholic Church uses sacred (not secular) music at Mass. It has been broadcast on three major networks and is played thrice each summer on EWTN. You can purchase the DVD or view the entire 60-minute film online (with the exception of the DVD bonus material):

Additional Links: 01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07

Some additional sacred music films produced by Watershed:

+  2011 Trailer • Colloquium XXI (YouTube)

+  2010 • Colloquium XX Trailer (YouTube)

+  Interviews (1)

+  Interviews (2)

+  Maestro Scott Turkington

+  Maestro Wilko Brouwers

+  Cor Jesu (Winter Intensive)

+  Christus Vincit (Winter Intensive)

+  Chironomy excerpt

+  Can You Tell The Difference?

+  Can Propers Replace Hymns At Mass? (cartoon)

+  Sacred Vs. Secular Music (cartoon)

+  2008 Trailer (YouTube)

“Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“The Worm That Dieth Not”

My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

A Nice Hymn In Spanish

In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed