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” (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

PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)

The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.

—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

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.

—Corpus Christi Watershed