Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for December 2017

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2017

“Te Deum” • Printable 4-Page Sheet

…with English Translation by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Charles E. Spence.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2017

“Veni Creator Spiritus” • with Fortescue’s English Translation

A plenary indulgence can be gained by singing the “Veni Creator Spiritus” publicly on New Year’s Day.

Fr. David Friel · December 31, 2017

USCCB Assesses Impact of “Magnum Principium”

Seven Observations on Liturgical Translation and the Recent Motu Proprio

Veronica Brandt · December 30, 2017

GABC Propers Tool Revisited

A major shortcut to preparing Gregorian chant propers and ordinaries.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 27, 2017

Of the Father’s Love Begotten…

Some day I wouldn’t mind cooking up a good ol’ fashioned Christmas Ball, but ’til then have to content myself with adding a few pounds (or more than a few) in honor of our Lord’s birth.

Veronica Moreno · December 24, 2017

[español] Your Christmas Present

SU REGALO NAVIDEÑO (2014). Jeff Ostrowski y el equipo de CCWatershed comparten ONCE (11) archivos. Incluyen partiduras y apuntes en documentos de PDF, videos de docentes dando clases, y mucho más. ¡Feliz Navidad!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2017

Your Christmas Present!

We met our fundraising goal, so you get these items!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2017

Midnight Mass (4th Sunday of December)

“O God, Who hath brightened this most holy night with the shining of the true light…”

Fr. David Friel · December 24, 2017

Lux Fulgebit: Mass at Dawn of Christmas Day

New recording by the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary’s Church in Norwalk, CT

Veronica Brandt · December 23, 2017

Epiphany Proclamation 2018

Fifteen years typing up the Proclamation of Moveable Feasts!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2017

Cardinal Sarah to celebrate TLM on 21 May 2018

If this is accurate, it’s marvelous news.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 21, 2017

Xmas Image • Print for Children to Color

Courtesy of John Sonnen.

Andrew Leung · December 21, 2017

The Marvels of Choral Singing

A reflection and meditation on choral singing.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2017

Can You Say “Theft” ?

Unless I am mistaken, John David Chambers stole Neale’s rhymes without attribution.

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 19, 2017

Six Videos • Gregorian Chant (2017)

…produced in association with Saint John the Beloved (McLean, Virginia)

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

To end an impropriety, noticed particularly at orchestral Vespers, when two or three Psalms are sung with full orchestra, and then the other Psalms and the Hymn are rapidly hurried through with organ accompaniment only […] we order that at Mass all portions of the text, including “Agnus Dei,” be sung with orchestral accompaniment. […] Moreover, the musicians are not allowed to put the instruments away and leave their places before the conclusion of the sacred function.

— Cardinal Patrizi (18 November 1856)