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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for May 2020

Keven Smith · May 18, 2020

What to Do When Music Creeps Into Your Prayer

Music is a language, but it does not supplant our own. Rather, it enlivens our words so that they can penetrate the soul with the fullness of their meaning—and enlighten our eyes in any circumstance.

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Fr. David Friel · May 17, 2020

Returning to the Sacraments • “Breathe Easter Now” (Hopkins)

Words of Hope from Gerard Manley Hopkins

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2020

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniments (Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament)

Including O SALUTARIS (“O Saving Victim Opening Wide”) and TANTUM ERGO (“Down in Adoration Falling”) in Latin and English.

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Veronica Brandt · May 16, 2020

Regina Caeli: How Good do you Need to Be to Sing Polyphony?

To sing at Mass though, you need more than just being able to finish together.

William J. Fritz · May 15, 2020

How to Change a Hymn Without Changing It

Ever thought of changing the way you play a hymn without needing to have studies advanced theory and harmonization techniques? Here are two ways of changing the way you are playing a hymn without changing the harmony or re-voicing it.

Wilfrid Jones · May 15, 2020

Post-Pandemic Liturgy

Some very brief comments on the lessons we might learn during this pandemic for the future of liturgical music.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2020

Can’t Decide Which Hymn Tune To Use?

My brain can’t accept the approach chosen by this “Graduale”…

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · May 13, 2020

Josquin’s “Ave Maria…Virgo Serena” • The Most Famous Piece Of 1502

It stands to reason that if someone wants to sell a lot of books, he should put something in there that people want to buy.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2020

What Did Palestrina Look Like?

Father Lawrence Lew, OP, is perhaps the world’s greatest photographer.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2020

Does Gregorian Chant ever skip a 7th?

I’ve really been enjoying singing from the Père Daniel Kyriale (126 pages), which is a fabulous little book. I had no idea it would turn out so nicely—incredibly useful, and the printing is super crisp. I noticed something quite strange the other day: Kyrie X (an extremely ancient chant) contains a skip of a seventh. […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2020

We love getting messages like this one…

“I am a 25-year-old organist and cantor from the mountains of Northern Colorado. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your friends for working hard to bring excellent content to your website and my inbox. I have found many, many awesome resources to help me stay faithful to the Church’s stance and […]

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 12, 2020

How Do the Greats Approach the Science of Choral Conducting?

Michelangelo, without training and in wont of the best paints and plaster, would have struggled to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2020

How to properly sing “Alleluia” in Eastertide (1962 Missal)

The way to “repeat” Alleluia during Eastertide confuses many people.

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Keven Smith · May 11, 2020

Choir Roster? No. It’s a Love List!

You can form a stronger connection with your choir even while rehearsals are suspended. All it takes is one simple thing that you probably already have.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2020

A B C D F etc. — An Ancient “Alphabetical” Hymn

This hymn by Caelius Sedulius (Christian Poet from the 5th century) has been translated into English by a Catholic priest.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
    Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

In the ’60s, I thought this emphasis on congregational singing was to encourage good Catholic hymns like “Immaculate Mary” and so forth … but after the Council, they threw them out, too!

— ‘Fr. Valentine Young, OFM (2007)’

Recent Posts

  • Buckfast Abbey Weighs In
  • PDF Download • “Catholic Hymnal & Service Book” (632 Pages)
  • PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
  • Gregorian Chant … with Organ Accompaniment?
  • Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

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