Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for November 2016

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2016

“Benedictus” • Palestrina Uses The “Dragnet” Theme!

Our Church is notoriously horrible at keeping up with cultural fads—because they’re so ephemeral.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 28, 2016

Unbelievable Track Recorded By One Voice!

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Pete Avendaño at the Sacred Music Symposium, held each year in Los Angeles.

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 28, 2016

Today Only! 40% off musical scores

Why not pick up a copy of Kevin Allen’s “Matri Divinae” collection?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2016

Musical Resources • 1st Sunday of Advent 1

“May we receive Thy mercy, O Lord, in the midst of Thy temple…”

Fr. David Friel · November 27, 2016

Update on Sacra Liturgia Milano 2017

Preliminary Speaker List and Background Information

Jeff Ostrowski · November 26, 2016

Meatless Fridays • Were We Taught Correctly?

“Ever wonder why McDonald’s decided in 1962 to put a piece of fish into a hamburger bun?” —Bishop Earl Boyea

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 24, 2016

Thanksgiving

Pope Francis has said: “Friar Junípero was one of the founding fathers of the United States.”

Andrew Leung · November 24, 2016

Free Download • Simple Choral Midnight Mass Introit

A simple setting of “Dominus Dixit ad Me” by Fr. Áureo Castro.

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 23, 2016

Cardinal Sarah Visits The Monastery of Solesmes

If you read French, you’ll understand these homilies.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 23, 2016

PDF Download • “Ordo Missæ” As We Use It

Do you provide something similar for your choirs?

Dr. Lucas Tappan · November 22, 2016

Pastors & Church Musicians: Are We Really Working Together?

Msgr. Marini recently spoke to a group of Italian musicians as part of a choral festival.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 22, 2016

Resplendent Christmas Piece for Two Voices!

This gem by Fr. Nicolas du Peron (d. 1963) incorporates Christmas carols in a most ingenious way.

Fr. David Friel · November 20, 2016

A Triptych on Mercy • Reflection III

The Beauty of Mercy

Jeff Ostrowski · November 19, 2016

Fr. James Fryar, FSSP, on EWTN (16 November 2016)

How Much Do You Know About The Latin Mass?

Veronica Brandt · November 19, 2016

Liturgy and Sensory Issues

Simplicity and predictability are important for being inclusive.

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“I am now old but I was young when I was received into the Church. I was not at all attracted by the splendour of her great ceremonies—which the Protestants could well counterfeit. Of the extraneous attractions of the Church which most drew me was the spectacle of the priest and his server at Low Mass, stumping up to the altar without a glance to discover how many or how few he had in his congregation; a craftsman and his apprentice; a man with a job which he alone was qualified to do.”

— Evelyn Waugh (7 August 1964)