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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 2016

Christopher Mueller · February 29, 2016

The Domestic Church and the domestic schola

The family that sings together prays together.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2016

Catholic Hymns Before Vatican II Will Shock You!

In spite of what you may have read online, hymns in English were often sung during Low Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2016

Musical Resources • 3rd Sunday of Lent (EF)

“…free us from all sins and dangers, as Thou dost grant us to be sharers in this great mystery…”

Richard J. Clark · February 26, 2016

Sounds from the Spires • SiriusXM Radio • Jennifer Pascual

Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral hosts a weekly radio program on sacred music.

Andrew Leung · February 25, 2016

Video • The Altar Server “Must See”

The altar server plays a very important role in the liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 23, 2016

Rehearsal Videos • A Resplendent “Agnus Dei” You’ve Never Heard

Can you hear the Canon between Soprano & Tenor?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 22, 2016

PDF Download • “Latin in the New Liturgy” (1976)

“The use of Latin in celebrating the new Mass Rite will be encouraged as it has been in the old; Latin expresses the nature of the Church as international and timeless.”

Andrew Leung · February 22, 2016

Video • Sacred or Secular?

Sacred or Secular? What do you hear?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2016

A Roman Catholic Cleric’s Noble Robes

The Archbishop of Kraków was (for a short time) Senator of the Second Polish Republic.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2016

Funeral Mass • Justice Antonin Scalia

You can download the program or view the full Mass online.

Veronica Brandt · February 20, 2016

Recordings for A New Book of Old Hymns

A little book of Gregorian chant hymns for the every occasion, with a collection of recordings for those unfamiliar with chant notation. Now more than a decade since the first edition and still going strong.

Richard J. Clark · February 19, 2016

122 Messengers of Peace • Dona Nobis Pacem

It’s never just about the music.

Andrew Leung · February 18, 2016

Are you Praying the Mass?

An old and holy priest talks about prayer and the liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2016

PDF • Two Nice Versions of “Attende Domine”

A good piece for Lent.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 16, 2016

Dorothy Sayers and the Lost Tools of Learning

We will never inspire a new generation of great Catholic musicians, so sorely needed at this time, if we don’t open their eyes to the “Lost Tools of Learning Music” and point them to the One to Whose praises we hope to sing for ever in the Heavenly Jerusalem.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —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

Random Quote

“The chapter decides that henceforth neither singers nor instrumentalists may be loaned to any outside individual or organization, any more than can the chalices or copes owned by the cathedral. This prohibition applies to all those days of the church calendar for which polyphony is designated.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (13 June 1561)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Catholic Hymnal & Service Book” (632 Pages)
  • PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
  • Gregorian Chant … with Organ Accompaniment?
  • Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
  • Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)

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