Letter from “Penelope” • (18 October 2023)
“I was recently asked to step in and lead someone else’s choir at Mass…” —Penelope
Archives for October 2023
“Breathtaking!” • Hymn for the Souls in Purgatory
“Raising the pitch for the final verse.” (Tag: 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳)
Can Nobody Help Us?
We are still searching for someone who can obtain for us a physical copy of either VOLUME 2 or VOLUME 8 of the accompaniments done by the LEMMENSINSTITUUT during the 1940s. Jeff’s personal copies were stolen.
“Is This an Error?” • The Answer Is Complicated
Text underlay in Renaissance polyphony: Six (6) considerations.
Can You “Name That Hymn” (From The Middle)?
Purists would absolutely hate this!
12 October 2023 • FEEDBACK
One of the more colorful emails we’ve received: “Jeff, I often disagree with your articles, but let me give credit where credit is due. You are surely the only person I know who could somehow tie together John F Kennedy, Lyndon B Johnson, Senator Barry Goldwater, and sacred music!” [The article she references is called Must […]
Responsorial Psalm • “Eight Options”
In all seriousness, this article deals with some very dry topics. When I say “dry,” I mean technical (or even “boring”). Therefore, I wasn’t really expecting anyone to click on it. I was pleasantly surprised earlier this morning to see that it’s been one of our most highly downloaded articles over the last two weeks!
It’s Spooky Season! • “Six Ways To Celebrate Halloween Like A Catholic”
“If you knew how quickly people would forget you after your death, you would not seek to please anyone but God during your life.” —Saint John Chrysostom
Cardinal Tobin says excluding EF Catholics is “good” so long as they’re not “banished” completely
The exchange with Diane Montagna was caught on video! Jeff Ostrowski also includes two personal stories of exclusion.
Young Girl Imitates Jeff Ostrowski Conducting!
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery.
“I Hate Hearing It, but I Love It?” • Honesty About Church Music (Examples Provided)
When the bell rang (signaling examination of conscience) all the seminarians would immediately drop their pencils, even if they were in the middle of writing a sentence.
Are We Done? • “Gregorian Chant Rhythm Wars”
It’s been decided to bring that particular series to a close. However…
Hope For Our Church.
People like Deacon Francis give me hope!
Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Godspeed!” (9 Oct 2023)
“It is all too easy to be lured away from a common-sense interpretation of the oldest sources by the siren song of beautiful, polished performances according to some other style.” —Patrick Williams
Collect Conclusions – Per Dominum &c.
A printable page of collect conclusions in Latin and English. Enjoy!