Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Spectacular “Tenebrae” Booklet

Jeff Ostrowski · April 8, 2019

OOGLE THE NAME “Paula Sims” and you’ll discover the sad tale of a mother who secretly killed her baby but attempted to blame a “masked man” who supposedly broke into her house. Three years earlier, Paula had killed another baby, blaming the murder on {wait for it…} a “masked man” who supposedly broke into her house. You have to ask yourself: “Does she think we’re stupid?” The same could be asked of the 1960s reformers who tried to eliminate (and hide) the authentic liturgy of the Catholic Church. Did they really believe it would be possible to cover up 1,500 years of tradition? Do they think we are all stupid? Well, it didn’t work. Catholics keep discovering the ancient traditions. First they fall in love; then they go to incredible lengths to revive what was destroyed. A shining example would be Mr. Albert Bloomfield, whose work is known to me thanks to our mutual friend, Fr. Valentine Young, OFM. ¹

* * PDF Download • Complete Tenebrae (1962)

You will also see they can be purchased through Amazon in booklet form. These Vespers Books (which we have mentioned in the past) are what we use every Sunday at Saint Vitus, and we could not be happier with them. Mr. Albert Bloomfield has done us all a breathtaking favor.

Here is a printable Tenebrae booklet that can be used on the evening of Holy Thursday.

NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1 If you ever get an opportunity to meet him, please do so! He’s truly magnificent. Indeed, you would struggle to find a holier, more faithful priest than Fr. Valentine Young.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”

Although it isn’t nearly as ancient as other hymns in the plainsong repertoire, Atténde Dómine, et miserére, quía peccávimus tíbi (“Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee”) has become one of the most popular hymns for LENT—perhaps because it was included in the famous Liber Usualis of Solesmes. This musical score (PDF file) has an incredibly accurate version in English, as well as a nice version in Spanish, and also the original Latin. Although I don’t claim to have a great singing voice, this morning I recorded this rehearsal video.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (1st Sunday of Lent)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday—22 February 2026—the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the outstanding feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. I spent an enormous amount of time preparing this ORDER OF MUSIC—because the children’s choir will join us—and some of its components came out great. For example, the COMMUNION ANTIPHON with Fauxbourdon is utterly resplendent, yet still ‘Lenten’.

—Jeff Ostrowski

2-Voice Arrangement for Lent

Those seeking a two-voice arrangement for LENT and PASSIONTIDE should click here and scroll down. It’s based on number 775 in the Brébeuf Hymnal, with an enchanting melody written by Kevin Allen (the legendary American composer of sacred music). That text—“Pendens In Crucis Cornibus”—is often used for the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. That link is important because, in addition to the musical score, it provides free rehearsal videos for each individual voice: something volunteer choirs appreciate!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”

I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)

I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.

—Jeff Ostrowski