Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for April 2018

Corpus Christi Watershed · April 30, 2018

(Transcript) • Archbishop Sample’s Sermon from the National Shrine Solemn Pontifical Mass

“I myself first discovered the Traditional Latin Mass as a college student.” —Most Rev’d Sample

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 30, 2018

Choosing Choral Repertoire

Is it okay for choirmasters to program the same piece several Sundays in a row?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2018

Yesterday’s Solemn Mass Was An Inflection Point

Consider three (3) clerics who took part in this Solemn Mass at the National Shrine

Andrew Leung · April 26, 2018

This Saturday! • Solemn Pontifcal Mass in D.C.

Archbishop Sample will be offering a Solemn Pontifical Mass at the National Shrine in DC.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 24, 2018

Directing A Choir: Are You Tough Enough?

Your sense of humor says it all…

Corpus Christi Watershed · April 23, 2018

Opportunity to study Polyphony in San Francisco

Dr. Michael Alan Anderson is a superb director.

Fr. David Friel · April 22, 2018

Spanish Missal Chants Now Available

A collection of fine resources are available from the Domenico Zipoli Institute

Richard J. Clark · April 20, 2018

Listening and Mission

All that matters is God’s call of service—God’s agenda. This mission of service is primary. Service is a form of love.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 17, 2018

Teaching Gregorian Chant to Boys with Changed Voices

The boys encountered the same learning curves the adult men had previously, but their facility in solfege speed up the learning process.

Guest Author · April 16, 2018

What does Cicero have to do with the Breviary?

A proposal for “mutual enrichment”

Andrew Leung · April 12, 2018

Photos • Two Recent Solemn Masses in Hong Kong

This wasn’t my first time serving as a subdeacon, but it was a trembling experience.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 10, 2018

Tone Quality and Your Singers

Ultimately it doesn’t matter if your choir resonates well and sings beautiful vowels but can’t communicate via the music…

Fr. David Friel · April 8, 2018

The Turns at Benediction

To the Right or to the Left?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2018

“ Dissonance? ” • Gregorian Accompaniment

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Fr. David Friel · April 3, 2018

Ratzinger’s 1987 Letter to a Former Catechism Student

The Pope Emeritus presents church music as something central to life.

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