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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 · January 14, 2020

Chocolate as payment?

Church musicians realize we’re currently in tough times, but even the greatest artists did not have everything “exactly as they desired.” Vladimir Horowitz (one of the greatest pianists) was often paid for his concerts with CHOCOLATE instead of money. The Russian economy was awful, and nobody had money. But Horowitz didn’t want chocolate; he wanted […]

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2020

JMO Copy (inviolable) St. Jean de Lalande Library of Rare Books

JMO Copy (inviolable) St. Jean de Lalande Library of Rare Books “The judicious searcher in this remarkable online collection will certainly reap great rewards for his effort.” — Fr. Robert A. Skeris, Benjamin T. Rome School of Music (CUA) HE SAINT Jean de Lalande Library is derived primarily from Jeff Ostrowski’s personal collection of rare […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2019

Hymn • “A Solis Ortus Cardine” (In English)

The Church’s greatest hymn? Many believe it’s this one.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 30, 2019

PDF Accompaniment • “Jesu Redemptor Omnium”

You can compare my accompaniment to that of Achille P. Bragers.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2019

Video • “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Older Catholic hymnals did funny things with this melody.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2019

“Agincourt” • Do You Know This Hymn?

I insisted that my interpretation was correct. Then she made a comment that haunts me still.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2019

Fr. Peter Gee • My First Chant Teacher

Is it just me, or does England have extremely beautiful churches?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2019

Fantastic! • “Somber Yet Powerful” Advent Hymn

It’s impossible to incorporate all the awesome Advent hymns; the season is too short.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2019

PDF • “Veni Veni Emmanuel” (2 Voices + Organ)

Download this PDF score—free to all—and sing during Advent!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2019

(Archive) • St. Edmund Campion Missal & Hymnal (2nd Edition)

Foreword by Fr. Berg   —   Nine Images   —   2nd Edition Info Table of Contents   —   Executive Summary ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENTS (2 vols.)   —   “How do I open this book properly?” (VIDEOS) INE ART: More than 300 traditional line art illustrations were collected from a special Benedictine archive and […]

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2019

Fr. Wasilewski: “Evil” to Remove Pachamama Idols

His argument about “theft”—such as removing pornography from a church where children might see it—is incorrect and dangerous.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 26, 2019

Are Choirmasters Allowed To Have A Bad Day?

By 1941, Horowitz had been playing Rachmaninov’s 3rd Concerto for 23 years…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 14, 2019

Dominican Priest Calls Gregorian Chant “Infantile”

Fr. Gerard Lessard is upset that millennials “seem to be mainly interested in returning to Gregorian chant and organ music of the distant past.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2019

Video • What Are Common Hymn Melodies?

Short demonstrations by a volunteer parish choir!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2019

PDF Download • A Eucharistic Piece My Choir Loves

Including a “preview” of the forthcoming Brébeuf Hymnal SATB Choral Supplement.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

Many declare that Vatican Council II brought about a true springtime in the Church. Nevertheless, a growing number of Church leaders see this “springtime” as a rejection, a renunciation of her centuries-old heritage, or even as a radical questioning of her past and Tradition. Political Europe is rebuked for abandoning or denying its Christian roots; but the first to have abandoned her Christian roots and past is indisputably the post-conciliar Catholic Church.

— ‘Pope Francis’ Chief Liturgist (31 March 2017)’

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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