Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Hymn by Father Thomas à Kempis” (arranged for 2 voices)

Jeff Ostrowski · September 25, 2025

HEODORE MARIER insisted that three things are necessary for a successful parish music program: (1) support from the pastor; (2) support from the pastor; (3) support from the pastor. To his excellent list, I would only add one item: (4) dignified repertoire that challenges your choir members without exceeding their capability. The following hymn—which is provided in English and Latin—is an example of such repertoire. The melody itself is taken from the Gaufestre melody in the Brébeuf Hymnal. The arrangement is for two voices: all females on the top line, all males on the bottom line. The odd verses can be sung SATB (unaccompanied), or they can be sung in unison with the organ accompaniment provided:

* PDF Download • JERUSALEM LUMINOSA (English + Latin)
—“Jerúsalem Luminósa” • 2-Voice Arrangement of with optional SATB sections.

Free rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #22439.

Sadness • Rehearsal videos for each individual voice have been provided at that link (22493), but most readers won’t bother to click on it—and that fills me with sadness.

Sunday Gets Replaced • This year, the Sunday on 9 November 2025 will be replaced by the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. In a nutshell, that feast is supposed to remind us that a Catholic church is unlike any other place because of what takes place there. A major ‘theme’ on that feast is the heavenly Jerusalem—so the above arrangement is particularly fitting on that day.

What can one say about the magnificent English translation by Monsignor Ronald Knox? Its language is utterly gorgeous, its internal rhymes truly a tour de force. Although written many years ago, the words of Dr. Herbert Patrick Reginald Finberg (Alcuin Press) come to mind: “No living writer possesses a greater command over the English language than Monsignor Knox.”

* Mp3 Download • Live Rec. by a volunteer choir
—Excerpt recorded on 26 Oct. 2025.

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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?

—Jeff Ostrowski

“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