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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 June 2023

Jeff Ostrowski · June 30, 2023

“Six Suggestions” • Working with Volunteer Choirs

One priest on this committee said something I’ll never forget…

Jeff Ostrowski · June 30, 2023

“Counter-Melody” for a Hymn Tune…

Jeff Ostrowski has added a “counter-melody” to CUPERTINO, a hymn tune composed by Kevin Allen. You can download the Organist Score (PDF), which doubles as the vocalist score. You can also hear Jeff’s volunteer choir sing that “counter-melody” version in real life by clicking here.

Dr. Charles Weaver · June 29, 2023

Some Thoughts on Gregorian Modal Ethos

You should memorize this list.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 29, 2023

“The Use of Plainsong in Heretical Worship” • (Letter by Dom Gregory Murray)

“Unless Catholic musicians (especially priests) are careful, they may easily encourage non-Catholics in the belief that the differences between Catholics and non-Catholics are of minor importance.” —Dom Murray

Patrick Williams · June 28, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • Video: “Introduction to Mensuralism” (28 June 2023)

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video has to be worth at least 1.8 million words.” —Dr. James McQuivey

Richard J. Clark · June 28, 2023

Saint Cecilia and an Angel Orazio Gentileschi and Giovanni Lanfranco

CRCCM Repertoire Project Released!

The Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians (CRCCM) has just launched a remarkable free resource offering recommendations of choral music, antiphons, propers, and more for all Sundays of the liturgical calendar, solemnities, and Ritual Masses.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 27, 2023

PDF Download • Extremely Rare! • “Liber Cantus Gregoriani” (1950) — 1,864 pages!

Church musicians ought not proceed in a frenzied, panic-stricken manner.

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 19, 2023

“We’re In Financial Trouble!” • (June 2023)

We must avoid placing our website behind a paywall.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2023

Easter Sequence • “Both English and Latin”

Earlier this afternoon, I created an organ harmonization for the EASTER SUNDAY SEQUENCE: Víctimæ Pascháli Laudes in English and Latin. The rhythm conforms to the pure (“untouched”) Vatican Edition, like what you’d find in editions by Schwann, Monsignor Nekes, Max Springer of Beuron, and Peter Wagner (Commissionis Pontificiæ Gregorianæ Membrum). The beautiful and highly accurate […]

Jeff Ostrowski · June 18, 2023

Theological…

The 330-page booklet for Sacred Music Symposium contains more than just fabulous and inspiring music. Little theological ‘tidbits’ cover its pages. For example, consider Page 265. You can download a PDF copy of the entire booklet at the Symposium website.

Patrick Williams · June 18, 2023

“Text-Informed Performance Practice in Chant”

“The older responsorial method is more in accord with a right understanding of this text.” —Patrick Williams

Christopher Mueller · June 17, 2023

Richard J. Clark’s “Salve Regina”

“Thanks, Richard, for another accessible and mellifluous motet!” —Chris Mueller

Daniel Tucker · June 16, 2023

Updates on the Liturgy of the Hours

The exciting re-translation project for the Liturgy of the Hours continues! This article will get you up to speed.

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 13, 2023

A Message For You! • (From Natalia Ferreiro)

Exciting news for the sacred music world—regarding something important starting next week.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 10, 2023

“Please Share On Social Media” • Thank you!

For immediate release…

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
    In 2003, I copied a book by Félix Bélédin (d. 1895), who was titular organist—from 1841 to 1874—at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon (France). In 2008, we scanned and uploaded the book to the Lalande Online Library. Nobody knows for sure when the book was published; some believe it first appeared in the 1840s. In any event, one who examines this excerpt, showing GLORIA IX might wonder why it says the organ answers in plainsong. However, the front of the book explains, telling the organist explicitly when to “respond in plainchant.” This is something called organ alternatim. Believe it or not, the pipe organ would take turns with the choir, playing certain texts instrumentally instead of having them sung. I’m not very well-versed in this—pardon the pun—but if memory serves, ORGAN ALTERNATIM was frowned upon by the time of Pope Saint Pius X. Nevertheless, French organists kept doing it, even after it was explicitly condemned as an abuse.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Lent (22 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. Traditionally, this Sunday was called ‘Passion’ Sunday. Starting in 1956, certain church leaders attempted rename both ‘Passion’ Sunday and ‘Palm’ Sunday—but it didn’t work. For example, Monsignor Frederick McManus tried to get people to call PALM SUNDAY “Second Passion Sunday”—but the faithful rejected that. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Holy Thursday, which is 2 April 2026. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more piercingly beautiful INTROIT, and I have come to absolutely love the SATB version of ‘Ubi cáritas’ we are singing (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir). I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death.”

— Robert Cardinal Sarah (23-sep-2019), chosen by Pope Francis to be the Vatican’s chief liturgist

Recent Posts

  • From Sentiment to Sacrament: Reclaiming Sacred Music for the Wedding Mass
  • Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?
  • “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
  • “Versions of the Psalter” • Jeff Interviews Top Biblical Scholar: Dr. Mark Giszczak
  • PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

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