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Views from the Choir Loft

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 21, 2021

20 January 2021 • REMINDER

We have no savings, no endowment, and no major donors. You can help us (please) by subscribing to our mailing list. It’s incredibly easy; just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address. Thank you!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 21, 2021

(Ladies Singing Low) • “Adding Fifths Above”

Under Covid-19, certain “pre-conciliar” practices have been mandated by the same bishops who previously declared such things to be evil.

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2021

19 January 2021 • Confusion over feasts

For several months, we have discussed the complicated history of the various Christmas feasts: the Baptism of the Lord, the feast of the Holy Family, the Epiphany, and so forth. During a discussion, someone questioned my assertion that in some places Christmas had been part of the Epiphany. As time went on, of course, the […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2021

PDF Download • “Mass Propers For Sundays And Holydays Set To Simple Melodies” (429 pages)

In 1947, this book was given a double “Imprimatur” by Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York.

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 13, 2021

“Homily for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM

Why have I been so blessed, and spared such hardships?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 12, 2021

Lies, Lies, Lies

“Narrative lies” cannot exist without a storyteller.

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2021

Catholic Choirmasters • Never Fall For This!

Statements so appalling, egregious, and atrocious they must be corrected…

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2021

6 January 2021 • Anglicans on Plainsong

A book published by Anglicans in 1965 has this to say about Abbat Pothier’s Editio Vaticana, the musical edition reproduced by books such as the LIBER USUALIS (Solesmes Abbey): “No performing edition of the music of the Eucharistic Psalmody can afford to ignore the evidence of the current official edition of the Latin Graduale, which […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2021

PDF Download • “Essential Liturgical Chart”

I’ve never spent as much time creating a Liturgical Chart as I did for this one.

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2021

PDF Download • “Blessing of Epiphany Water”

An 18-page PDF for the Solemn Blessing of Water on the Eve of the Epiphany.

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2021

PDF Download • “Puer Natus In Bethlehem” — Simple Christmas Hymn (2 Pages)

This is one of my favorite Gregorian hymns; very catchy!

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2021

2 January 2021 • Temptation

When I see idiotic statements made on the internet, I go nuts. When I see heretics promoted by people who should know better, I get angry. Learning to ignore such items is difficult—very difficult. I try to remember the words of Fr. Valentine Young: “Do what God places in front of you each day.” When […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2021

PDF Download • “No woman shall kiss her child on the Sabbath or fasting day.”

The “Blue Laws” were a series of fanatical laws enacted by the Puritans of the colony of Connecticut…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2021

“Homily — Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, Years ABC” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

We seem to be sitting around waiting for “that day” when everything in the world, in our country, and in the Church is going to be perfect…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2021

31 December 2020 • “COMITES CHRISTI”

The feasts for Saint Stephen Proto-Martyr (26 December), Saint John the Evangelist The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (27 December), and the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December) seem untouched by any liturgical reforms. These are very powerful feasts—I believe they once possessed octaves—and I believe they could sometimes “overpower” a Sunday feast. The rules […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 27, 2020

“Homily — Feast of the Holy Family, Year B” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

I can speak mainly from my experience with Indians, more specifically the Navajos; their native culture has a great respect and love for marriage and family life.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2020

PDF Download • “Midnight Mass Musical Plan” (2020)

To show our singers how special our music is, I’ve included ancient MSS for each piece—as well as rehearsal videos.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2020

23 December 2020 • A 5th? or 4th?

I have noticed that where the Editio Vaticana has a descending perfect fourth for the Gradual of Christmas Midnight Mass, many ancient manuscripts have a descending perfect fifth, which is pretty cool: Example A — Example B. The Vatican Edition is a CENTO, and never made any claim to be anything other than a CENTO. […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2020

PDF Download • “Creator Alme Siderum” with Organ Accompaniment

The Brébeuf Hymnal provides ancient (Roman Catholic) English translations of this hymn, but Eleanor Parker found versions in Anglo-Saxon!

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Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2020

“Improving As Musicians” • Eight Suggestions

Did you know I communicate with dead Catholic composers? I’m not joking.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

20 January 2021 • REMINDER

We have no savings, no endowment, and no major donors. You can help us (please) by subscribing to our mailing list. It’s incredibly easy; just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address. Thank you!

—Jeff Ostrowski
19 January 2021 • Confusion over feasts

For several months, we have discussed the complicated history of the various Christmas feasts: the Baptism of the Lord, the feast of the Holy Family, the Epiphany, and so forth. During a discussion, someone questioned my assertion that in some places Christmas had been part of the Epiphany. As time went on, of course, the Epiphany came to represent only three “manifestations” (Magi, Cana, Baptism), but this is not something rigid. For example, if you look at this “Capital E” from the feast of the Epiphany circa 1350AD, you can see it portrays not three mysteries but four—including PHAGIPHANIA when Our Lord fed the 5,000. In any event, anyone who wants proof the Epiphany used to include Christmas can read this passage from Dom Prosper Guéranger.

—Jeff Ostrowski
6 January 2021 • Anglicans on Plainsong

A book published by Anglicans in 1965 has this to say about Abbat Pothier’s Editio Vaticana, the musical edition reproduced by books such as the LIBER USUALIS (Solesmes Abbey): “No performing edition of the music of the Eucharistic Psalmody can afford to ignore the evidence of the current official edition of the Latin Graduale, which is no mere reproduction of a local or partial tradition, but a CENTO resulting from an extended study and comparison of a host of manuscripts gathered from many places. Thus the musical text of the Graduale possesses a measure of authority which cannot lightly be disregarded.” They are absolutely correct.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We know that originally the offertories of the repertoire included a series of verses, just like the introit and the communion, but generally more ornate. Many of these are musical compositions of great beauty. They quickly fell into disuse, and we find them only in the most ancient manuscripts. The only remaining trace of this older arrangement in our present-day liturgy is that of the offertory of the Requiem Mass.”

— Dom Joseph Gajard (1956)

Recent Posts

  • 20 January 2021 • REMINDER
  • (Ladies Singing Low) • “Adding Fifths Above”
  • 19 January 2021 • Confusion over feasts
  • PDF Download • “Mass Propers For Sundays And Holydays Set To Simple Melodies” (429 pages)
  • Hidden Gem: Salvum Fac Populum Tuum (Bruckner)

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