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Views from the Choir Loft

“Notwithstanding all our troubles, we sing Mass” —1601 AD

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2020

ANY Catholics and Catholic priests suffered martyrdom when England became Anglican (after King Henry VIII). It is fascinating to learn about those dangerous times. Father Henry Garnett (d. 1606), a Catholic priest, was friends with William Byrd. He was also very close to Saint Robert Southwell, whose brilliant hymns appear in the Brébeuf hymnal.  I know that our vocation—that of being a church musician—is fraught with difficulties and obstacles. But at least we are not being threatened by torture and execution! Notice the following sentence: “Notwithstanding all our troubles, we still sing the Mass”…from 30 June 1601:


Let’s remember this when we are tempted to complain about our (sacred) vocation providing music for Mass!

Read more by downloading this PDF file: The Troubles of Our Catholic Forefathers Related by Themselves (London, 1877).


Speaking of “Speaking”…

Fr. Michael Irwin was the very first FSSP priest in the United States. One year, he did something very funny I will never forget. There are certain prayers on Good Friday which the 1962 Holy Week says to speak, not sing. Fr. Irwin forgot, and (as an altar boy) I could tell he was embarrassed. So, what did he do? He began the prayer singing, and slowly morphed into speaking. So, by the time the prayer ended, he was speaking. I still laugh, when I remember his “trick”—and I’m sure my brother remembers, too. This was circa 2002.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: February 24, 2020

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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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Before any seminarian is accepted for ordination, he must not only strive for chastity but actually achieve it. He must already be living chaste celibacy peacefully and for a prolonged period of time—for if this be lacking, the seminarian and his formators cannot have the requisite confidence that he is called to the celibate life.”

— Archbishop Viganò (16 February 2019)

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