Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for November 2016

Richard J. Clark · November 18, 2016

A Dad’s Dilemma • I pray and God determines.

Working for the Church is wholly at odds with having a family and being present for them.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · November 15, 2016

Seven Tips for the Organist

I also want to say “thank you” to all of you who play the organ during the sacred liturgy. We owe you a great song of gratitude!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 15, 2016

Did Pope Francis Denigrate “Rigid” Young Catholics?

If 500 people attend Mass and one acts as lector, there are still 499 people “not participating” by that flawed logic…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 14, 2016

Gorgeous Picture • “The Visitation”

Quite interesting, containing additional mysteries for those who look carefully…

Fr. David Friel · November 13, 2016

A Triptych on Mercy • Reflection II

The Need for Mercy

Veronica Brandt · November 12, 2016

Gregorian chant is not all the same

Have you ever been asked to sing some Gregorian chant? How do you choose a representative piece?

Fr. David Friel · November 11, 2016

The Legacy of Martin of Tours

A Tribute to a Soldier-Saint on Veterans Day

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2016

Musical Resources • 13 November (1962 Missal)

He said, “Make room there; for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth.” And they laughed Him to scorn.

Andrew Leung · November 10, 2016

CMAA Winter Sacred Music 2017

Early Registration is still available for Winter Sacred Music 2017 (Birmingham, AL).

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2016

Complete “Ite Missa Est” for Parish Organist

Accompaniments by Achille P. Bragers (1887-1955).

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 9, 2016

Sonnen: “I’ve never seen such a fine work of art.”

Spot an ancient chasuble or rare picture of St. Wojtyła? Odds are it came from John Paul Sonnen.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2016

Do You Recognize This Hymn Tune? 1

The Brébeuf hymnal will include texts by contemporary Roman Catholic poets.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2016

Hysteria Over CDW Appointments?

Including two myths: one about the EF, and one about the OF.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2016

Do You Recognize This Hymn Tune?

The Brébeuf hymnal will include texts by contemporary Roman Catholic poets.

Guest Author · November 7, 2016

Catholic Liturgy in Secular Sweden

How does a tiny Catholic community in a secularized country celebrate Mass with the Pope?

Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Palm Sunday—a.k.a. “Dominica in palmis de Passione Domini”—which is 29 March 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The OFFERTORY (Impropérium exspectávit cor meum) is quite moving. Even though the COMMUNION ANTIPHON is relatively simple, the Fauxbourdon makes it sound outstanding.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?

He who examines Laudes Dei: a hymnal for Catholic congregations (St. Louis, 1894) will discover this pairing of a hymn for Easter. For the record, this isn’t the only Catholic hymn book to marry that text and melody; e.g. Saint Mark’s Hymnal for Use in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States (Peoria, 1910) does the same thing. Sometimes an unexpected pairing—chosen with sensitivity—can be superb, forcing singers to experience the text in a ‘fresh’ and wonderful way. On the other hand, we sometimes encounter something I’ve called “PERNICIOUS HYMN PAIRINGS.” If you find the subject in intriguing, feel free to peruse an article I published in May of 2023. As always, my email inbox is open if you have a bone to pick with my take.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?

In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.

—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

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