Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for June 2019

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 25, 2019

In Search of the Deeper Meaning

I have heard it said that magic shows up at every concert but usually goes home disappointed.

Veronica Moreno · June 21, 2019

When “Textbooks” Don’t Cut It

This routine has taken years to establish.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2019

Symposium Booklets Have Arrived!

Anyone can write articles saying: “Church music must improve”—but actually getting one’s hands dirty? That’s different…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 18, 2019

Fr. Finn and the Catholic Choral Tradition in America

Nevertheless, we have had, and quite frankly still have, a number of fine choirs, conductors and organists that I would place on par and even above our European brethren.

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 17, 2019

Professional Photographs • Saint Isaac Jogues Missal

This pew Lectionary & Missal is changing the way Catholics experience the Ordinary Form.

Fr. David Friel · June 16, 2019

Solemn Novena for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

This year’s preacher will be Fr. James Gordon, F.S.S.P.

Veronica Moreno · June 14, 2019

Homeschooling (And Sacred Music) Snuck Up On Us

In this way, we keep the faith alive at the kitchen table and at the altar.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 12, 2019

PDF Download • Symposium Booklet (159 pages)

…probably unlike any musical booklet you’ve come across!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 11, 2019

Secrets Revealed

…perhaps more slowly than one would prefer, but finally the secret is beginning to leak!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 10, 2019

PDF Download • Vespers Organ Accompaniments

Do you understand why some of the harmonies are blank?

Fr. David Friel · June 9, 2019

The Magnificat Institute of Sacred Music

A new undertaking of composer Paul Jernberg

Veronica Brandt · June 8, 2019

Shortcuts with GrandOrgue

Setting up keyboard shortcuts to setting the stops on a virtual pipe organ using the free software GrandOrgue.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 7, 2019

Where Did “Do-Re-Mi” Come From?

A concise and clear explanation from a 1957 book…

Andrew Leung · June 6, 2019

Photos • 1985 Ordination in China

Old photos of an ordination in Shanghai in 1985.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 4, 2019

PDF Download • “Magnificat” + Rehearsal Videos!

“You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. I know of no greater piece than this.” —Jeff Ostrowski

(Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?

Choirs love to sing the resplendent tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1929, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. Their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1929 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. As always, the Germans added an organ INTRODUCTION. For the record, I posted a different harmonization a few months ago which was downloaded more than 2,000 times.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”

Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Monsignor Klaus Gamber Speaks!

An interesting quotation from the eminent liturgist, Monsignor Klaus Gamber (d. 1989): “According to canon law, a person’s affiliation with a particular liturgical rite is determined by that person’s rite of baptism. Given that the liturgical reforms of Pope Paul VI created a de facto new rite, one could assert that those among the faithful who were baptized according to the traditional Roman rite have the right to continue following that rite; just as priests who were ordained according to the traditional Ordo have the right to exercise the very rite that they were ordained to celebrate.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)

The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams

Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.

—Jeff Ostrowski