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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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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). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · September 30, 2019

Brave Schola Director Posts iPhone Recording

Sometimes the obstacles faced by choirmasters seem completely overwhelming.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2019

Brébeuf Review! • “Society for Catholic Liturgy”

“The editors of the Brébeuf Hymnal have done a great service to the profession.” —Aaron James, Ph.D.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 20, 2019

PDF Download • Palestrina Kyrie “Fons Bonitatis”

This is part 1 of 3 — and the other parts will be released soon.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 16, 2019

“Dies Irae” • Why Does It Appear In So Many Movies?

Veronica Brandt wrote about this in 2014. This morning, VOX made her article into a YouTube.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 13, 2019

($54,000 per year) • FSSP San Diego Seeks Choirmaster

It seems Fr. Lyons offered the position to a candidate who later decided not to accept.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2019

Photographs • Père Daniel Kyriale (126 pages)

The beauty of the Gregorian Kyriale cannot be stopped—and Saint Antoine Daniel is the perfect patron for this!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2019

“How To Begin Choir Practice” • (A Suggestion)

How one *begins* a rehearsal is crucial.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2019

PDF Download • “Alleluia Choral Extension” (EF + OF)

This may look simple on paper, but it sounds *incredible* when sung by a full choir. Guerrero rocks!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2019

When People Lie About Hymns Unwittingly

As a young man, I came into contact with an organist who claimed there was no such thing as a “Recessional,” insisting that I was wrong and foolish to use that term.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 7, 2019

Revealed! • A Fascinating Mass Rubric Very Few Know

“How surprised people would be next Sunday to see the direction being carried out!” —1943 article

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2019

Do You Know Credo VII ??

A wonderful medieval Credo, published with “Imprimatur” from 1924.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 3, 2019

The 1961 Code of Rubrics • Pope St. John XXIII

I would not argue with someone who called this document curious, or even bizarre; it was only in effect for a few years • Also: “Should the Sanctus and Benedictus be split in the Traditional Latin Mass?” • This “Extraordinary Form” question is treated meticulously with full documentation going back 150 years+

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2019

I. Was. Dead. Wrong.

Setting the record straight.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2019

PDF Download • Handy Solfège Chart (Printable)

I have no idea whether this will be of use to anyone, but here it is…

Jeff Ostrowski · August 19, 2019

Brébeuf #182 • “Creator Alme Siderum” (Advent)

Most people know this one as “Creator of the stars of night.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • All Souls (2 November)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“You have thereby removed from the celebration of the Mass all superstitions, all greed for lucre, and all irreverence … removed its celebrations from private homes and profane places to holy and consecrated sanctuaries. You have banished from the temple of the Lord the more effeminate singing and musical compositions.”

— ‘Bishop Racozonus, speaking at the last session of the Council of Trent (1563)’

Recent Posts

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  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
  • “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

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