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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 · March 3, 2020

PDF Download • Catholic Hymnal by the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio (84 Pages)

An extremely rare hymnal compiled by the Most Rev’d Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2020

Pope Pius X had been a choirmaster!

During his final year of theological studies at the seminary, Pope Pius X served as choirmaster to the seminarians! While serving as bishop of Mantua, he founded a Schola Cantorum and personally taught courses in sacred music and Cantus Gregorianus. Fascinating!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2020

“Stations of the Cross” • By Fulton J. Sheen

The beautiful “Way of the Cross” by Sheen made our local bishop weep as he was leading them.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2020

iPhone Clip • “Sight-Reading Hosanna the First Time”

I found this on my iPhone from 2018…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2020

PDF Download • “Hymnal of Christian Unity” (1964)

There’s something comforting about the Brébeuf hymnal translations, since they were created by Catholic priests.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2020

“Notwithstanding all our troubles, we sing Mass” —1601 AD

Let’s remember this sentence when we are tempted to complain about our (holy) vocation providing music for Mass!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2020

Absolutely Sensational Video About The Sacred Music Symposium!

It’s difficult to imagine a more breathtaking video—the beauty is staggering!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2020

Magnificent Photograph! • Fr. Valentine With His Mother

He loved his mother dearly; photo circa 1956.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 12, 2020

Protected: « Sundays after Pentecost »

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2020

Big News! • Symposium Dates Revealed

Woo Hoo! The preëminent conference for Church musicians announces dates for its fifth year!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2020

Septuagesima Gradual • Strange Formation on Clivis

Is there a “jail” for people who change the official edition of Gregorian Chant?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2020

“I’m hanging on every word.”—Catholic Organist Group

My friend, Richard J. Clark, sent me a screenshot from the “Catholic Organist Group.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2020

When Choirs Prefer A “Real Voice” To Midi

Only an insane person would post this publicly—but I “fit the bill”…so here goes!

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2020

Short But Superb Film • “Westminster Choir Boys”

The resignation of Martin Baker was quite a shock to the Catholic world.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2020

PDF Download • “What Makes A Good Hymn?”

Dr. Terry says: “The melody must be clearly defined, free from triviality and trite clichés, avoiding harmonies that are sugary or sensuous.”

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President’s Corner

    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

Quick Thoughts

    “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

Random Quote

“From six in the evening, his martyrdom had continued through the ghastly night until nine o’clock in the morning. After fifteen hours of torture rarely if ever surpassed in the bloody annals of the Iroquois, the soul of Gabriel Lalemant was freed from its charred and mutilated prison and summoned to join his comrade Jean de Brébeuf in the radiant splendor of God. March 17th, 1649, was the date; for Brébeuf it had been the sixteenth.”

— ‘Fr. John A. O’Brien, speaking of St. Gabriel Lalemant’

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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