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Views from the Choir Loft

Hope For Our Church.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 9, 2023

N SACRED SCRIPTURE, we read: Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, and there is fresh creation; Thou dost repeople the face of earth (Ps 103:30). Those addicted to reading “news websites” or watching cable television will find no shortage of distressing news each day to preoccupy their mind, fill them with anxiety, and prevent them from doing positive items in God’s service. On the other hand, there are reasons for hope! Recently, our parish was visited by four seminarians from Wigratzbad (Germany). One of them—whom I’d previously corresponded with online—is a deacon who will be ordained next year. This fellow is very young; indeed, he was born in 1999. But in spite of his young age, he speaks ten languages and is fully fluent in six. We spent several hours with him when he was in town, and his English is flawless. His name is Deacon Francis.

There Is Hope! • I found Deacon Francis to be polite, generous, kind, incredibly intelligent, and someone who emanates holiness. From what I can tell, he will make an amazing priest. People like Deacon Francis give me hope. By the way, he’s also a great musician. I showed him the little pipe organ we have near our parish:

Here’s the direct URL link.

Coming Soon! • Deacon Francis possesses some incredibly rare (and important) musical scores from Germany, which he’s promised to send us in November of 2023. I was able to take a picture with Deacon Francis before he left:

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: October 9, 2023

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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

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The main place should be given, all things being equal, to gregorian chant, as being proper to the roman Liturgy. Other kinds of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.”

— ‘2011 GIRM, §41 (Roman Missal, 3rd Edition)’

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