Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for October 2015

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 19, 2015

VIDEO • “Were The Dark Ages Really Dark?”

An interesting video by Anthony Esolen.

Cynthia Ostrowski · October 19, 2015

Catholic Bulletin Art • Installment #70

The feast of Christ the King approaches!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2015

Beautiful Photo Of Blessed Pope Paul VI

The entrance procession from his coronation.

Fr. David Friel · October 18, 2015

World Meeting of Families 2015 & the Papal Visit to Philadelphia — Part 2 of 2

Monsignor Marini’s Final Encouragement to Papal Mass Servers

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2015

Yikes! Even The Monastery Of Solesmes

Did you notice how they carefully deleted all the beautiful artwork?

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 17, 2015

“Regina Caeli” Sung By Young Children

They miss an ictus or two, but it still sounds glorious!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2015

Musical Resources • 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“…in Thine infinite mercy, O Lord, restore our souls to health…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2015

Watershed Needs Your Help To Continue!

“Watershed has been extremely helpful and has brought so much solace and support…”

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · October 15, 2015

The Church Must Be Countercultural

What music is appropriate for a wedding?

Andrew Leung · October 15, 2015

My New Assignment—Part 2

An update on my new assignment.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 15, 2015

What? Sundays after Pentecost?

Be careful this year.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 14, 2015

When Choirmasters Despair

No matter how superb your music program is…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 13, 2015

Taka… What?

Kids love this!

Fr. David Friel · October 13, 2015

Discussion of “Inclusivity” & “Diversity” at the Synod

Remarks from Archbishop Chaput

Guest Author · October 12, 2015

“Saving” Gregorian Chant In The Ordinary Form

Daniel Craig’s review with a “signs of the times” digression.

Music Director Job • $80,000 per year

Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published

Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.

—Jeff Ostrowski

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed