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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for February 2015

Jeff Ostrowski · February 19, 2015

Bishop Slattery: “Why Did God Make Us?”

It would not be wrong to say that the entire video revolves around Sacred music.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 19, 2015

A Practical Secret

“Condition choirs so that you have to tell them only once.”

Andrew Leung · February 18, 2015

An Educational Experience

In order to preserve Sacred Music, a treasure and an essential part of the Church, education is very important.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2015

Brave Schola Director Posts “Live” Recording

Last Sunday, I stuck a recording device in my pocket.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 17, 2015

Westminster Cathedral (London, England)

“They were trapped and could do nothing but grin and bear it.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2015

Photograph • Pius X Consecrating French Bishops

A beautiful photograph from Saint Peter’s Basilica on 25 February 1906.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2015

“What Must Be Sung Is The Mass” • Susan Benofy

“For decades there were virtually no musical settings for the Propers in English.” —Susan Benofy

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2015

Bishops Care When Their Names Are “Tacitly” Used

The current GIRM never mentions “tacit” approval.

Fr. David Friel · February 15, 2015

Praying the Divine Office This Lent

Exploring the Sites & Apps Devoted to the “Official Prayer of the Church”

Aristotle A. Esguerra · February 14, 2015

Modal Responsorial Psalms & Gospel Acclamations

283 pages, softcover • View Table of Contents Click here to purchase this bound book. You can also download the entire book [PDF]. Complete Psalms and Gospel Acclamations (Years A, B, C, and ABC) for Sundays, Solemnities, and Feasts (including Chrism Mass and Extended Pentecost Vigil). Also included are Nuptial and Funeral Masses.  Features: Durable […]

Jeff Ostrowski · February 14, 2015

Vexilla Regis Prodeunt (Gregorian Hymn)

Oh, what a difference a thousand years makes…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 14, 2015

Controversy Over Female Altar Servers

“It will always be very appropriate to follow the noble tradition of having boys serve at the altar.” —Congregation for Divine Worship (15 March 1994)

Veronica Brandt · February 14, 2015

The modern armchair chant scribes

A great source of chant snippets for your booklets as well as a way to make the internet a better place.

Richard J. Clark · February 13, 2015

Choir Rehearsal Is Prayer

It is quite possible we won’t get to sing the music we rehearsed — a problem everyone in Boston is facing this Sunday. But choir rehearsal itself is a prayer.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 12, 2015

Musical Resources • Quinquagesima Sunday

«GLORIA in EXCELSIS» is not said from Septuagesima Sunday until Easter, except on Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, & some special feasts.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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

Quick Thoughts

    “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

Random Quote

[Speaking about the Silent Canon, with audible “per ómnia”] — “So in all such cases it is usual for the otherwise silent celebrant occasionally to sing a clause aloud, to show how far he has arrived.”

— Father Fortescue (pages 313-314) • “A Study of the Roman Liturgy”

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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