Stumped by Psalms? Try This
St. Robert Bellarmine’s commentary will enlighten you and your singers.
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Archives for November 2023
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 […]
PDF Download • “Eight Gregorian Psalm Tones” (Harmonized by Jeff Ostrowski)
Yesterday, I recorded a video demonstration of each Gregorian Chant tone.
Four (4) Excellent Hymns for Catholic Funerals
With a brief digression on certain “nasty” traditionalists.
“An Initiation to Gregorian Chant” (Msgr. Turco)
Guest article by Father Stephen Concordia, OSB.
Seven (7) Hymn Verses for November!
In the month of November, we remember in a special way the souls in purgatory. The BRÉBEUF HYMNAL often includes text alone versions for its hymns; why is that? The short answer is: flexibility. The “text only” version allows each choirmaster to employ a myriad of melodies. For example, I recently set the English translation […]
Accent and Gregorian Melody
The idea of the tonic accent in Gregorian melody runs through the entire Solesmes tradition from Gontier to Pothier to Mocquereau to the present.
Worst Hymn Pairing Of All Time?
Are there sickening examples of hymn pairings? Oh, most certainly!
Bearing Witness
We Church musicians have a high calling to bear witness to the truth with our music and our lives.
Jeff Ostrowski’s Performance of Plainsong Attacked as “Inartistic”
The special Vigil of Christmas “Alleluia” sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
What We See Under the Big Top
For several years, due to the large number of Catholics who attend Mass at this parish, all celebrations have been held in a parking lot under a tent.
Jeff’s Attempt at Pipe Organ “Stops”
I’ve been attempting to record some Brébeuf hymns on the pipe organ, but I know very little about registration (“stops”). You can listen to this morning’s attempt, a recording of a tune called TRINITY COLLEGE. Do you know this tune? It’s quite nice. Feel free to email me vis-à-vis the registration I chose. To quickly […]
Pope Saint Paul VI did not outlaw the TLM
This video shows a signatory of the famous “Agatha Christie Indult” talking about Glenn Gould (specifically his Bach interpretations).
PDF • Morley’s Choral “Warm-Up”
For decades, I was against choral warm-ups. I felt they should be derived from repertoire—killing two birds with one stone—but was often too lazy to prepare such items. Over the years, I have taken a 180° turn. Now I’m a huge believer in vocal “warm-ups.” Our volunteer choir has been enjoying this wonderful warm-up exercise […]
(14 Examples) • Jeff Ostrowski’s Artistic “Credo”
Including several hymns eminently suitable for the feast of Christ the King.