Views from the Choir Loft

Free Videos • “How to say the Extraordinary Form”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2022

This was posted in 2013, but you’ll want to bookmark it.

1 of 20 • Preparation of the Altar
2 of 20 • Vesting in the Sacristy
3 of 20 • Chapter 3: Procession & Arrival at the Altar
4 of 20 • Chapter 4: Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
5 of 20 • Chapter 5: The Introit
6 of 20 • Chapter 6: Kyrie & Gloria
7 of 20 • Chapter 7: The Collect & Epistle
8 of 20 • Chapter 8: The Gospel & Creed
9 of 20 • Chapter 9: The Offertory (Part I)
10 of 20 • Chapter 10: Offertory (Part II)
11 of 20 • Chapter 11: The Preface
12 of 20 • Chapter 12: The Canon (Part I)
13 of 20 • Chapter 13: The Consecration
14 of 20 • Chapter 14: The Canon (Part II)
15 of 20 • Chapter 15: The Pater Noster & Fractio
16 of 20 • Chapter 16: The Communion of the Priest
17 of 20 • Chapter 17: The Ablutions
18 of 20 • Chapter 18: The Postcommunion & Final Blessing
19 of 20 • Chapter 19: The Last Gospel & Leonine Prayers
20 of 20 • Chapter 20: The Recession & Unvesting

“How to say Mass in the Extraordinary Form”
produced by
The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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