Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for July 2017

Fr. David Friel · July 16, 2017

Carmel 1

The Vineyard of God

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2017

Solemn Mass • 1941 vs. 2017

A clever video juxtaposes Fr. Favole’s First Solemn Mass…

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 15, 2017

Benedict XVI’s Message At Cardinal Meisner’s Funeral

“When, on his last morning, Cardinal Meisner did not appear at Mass, he was found dead in his room.”

Richard J. Clark · July 14, 2017

Culmen Et Fons 2017 • On Liturgical Formation • September 18-22

“[T]he parish has seen an astonishing increase in Mass attendance and financial stewardship owing in large part to the addition of a weekly traditional Latin Missa Cantata, use of handcrafted Roman vestments, emphasis on sacred music…”

Andrew Leung · July 13, 2017

Singing with John Rutter

Rutter: “When they join together, they become one; and they share an experience which they couldn’t have on their own.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 11, 2017

Does Polyphony “Fit” Ordinary Form Masses?

Can you hear the difference? Listen closely to the third section.

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 10, 2017

PDF Download • (2,292 Pages) Choral Music in Latin & English by Richard Rice

A stunning announcement by Richard Rice!

Fr. David Friel · July 9, 2017

JPII: “The Roman Church Has Special Obligations to Latin”

This vision of the Church’s relationship with Latin is quite different from the perspective held by many post-conciliar liturgists.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 6, 2017

Symposium 2017 Was A Spectacular Success!

“I cannot say enough good things about my experience at the symposium. Words cannot express just how wonderful it was to be there, and how much I brought back with me.”

Andrew Leung · July 6, 2017

The Most Sensitive Musical Instrument

“Have you thanked God for this failure already?”

Fr. David Friel · July 2, 2017

Formation in the Liturgy

Remarkable Speech by a High School Valedictorian

Richard J. Clark · July 1, 2017

On Emptiness, Wisdom, and Fortune • Music and Discernment

Music and Discernment

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

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

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