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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 · April 6, 2020

CCW President on “Real Presence Radio”

Mr. Matthew L. Willkom and Fr. Randall Kasel (Pastor, St. Michael in Pine Island, MN) interviewed Jeff Ostrowski a few weeks ago.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2020

“Daily I sat in the temple, close to you…”

Fulton J. Sheen always said the “very best translation” of Sacred Scripture was the version by Monsignor Ronald Knox, and here’s what Knox had for the Passion read today (Pre-1955 Palm Sunday): “And Jesus said to the multitude at that hour, You have come out to my arrest with swords and clubs, as if I […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2020

PDF Download • “Pre-1955 Holy Saturday” (Draft)

Today, I release something I probably shouldn’t—because it’s “not ready for Prime Time.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 2, 2020

What a young Father Morales wrote for Charles V

I prefer this old recording—but there are plenty of modern recordings available if you don’t like it.

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2020

Hymn: “All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King” (Sopr, Alto, Tenr, Bass)

Today, rehearsal videos were uploaded for each *individual* voice part: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2020

Sacred Music Symposium • “What We Avoid”

I wish we had to time to discuss artwork at the Sacred Music Symposium, but there’s just not enough time. At this year’s conference in June, we will sing an absolutely incredible Magnificat setting by Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599). If you examine the part books, you will notice a marvelous aesthetic desire to avoid […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2020

Going Beyond Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s “Take”

Sheen has sometimes been criticized for avoiding mention of the sacred liturgy during his talks, but I cannot agree with such a view. • Includes about the Holy Eucharist, including a quote by Father Leslie Rumble and a quote from Pope Pius X+

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 29, 2020

“Abraham” • Guerrero Imitates His Teacher

Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied music with Father Cristóbal de Morales circa 1545. He taught himself the organ. On 3 April 1542 he was engaged as a contralto by Seville Cathedral at an annual salary of 12,000 maravedís. He remained there until 1546, when, at the age of only 17, he was invited—on the […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2020

HYMN • “Vexilla Regis” (SATB setting in English)

Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923) called this “perhaps the greatest of all hymns.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2020

“Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” (Brébeuf Hymnal, #699)

During Advent, choirmasters must plan Christmas. During Lent, choirmasters must plan Easter. And so on.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2020

Too much music!

Choosing music for the Sacred Music Symposium requires careful consideration.  We make sure (always) to have great variety. Because the schedule is so full, there’s never sufficient time to discuss the music fully—indeed, we could easily do a month-long seminar on each piece!  For example, last year Dr. Calabrese conducted a setting of the Magnificat […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Jeff Ostrowski

There’s an old saying: “Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2020

PDF Download • “Ad Regias Agni Dapes” (Organ Accompaniment)

I composed this organ accompaniment yesterday, looking ahead towards Eastertide.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 22, 2020

Readings & Prayers Used By My Family On Sunday…

Including Fulton J. Sheen, Charles de Foucauld, and a Homily by Father Valentine Young, OFM

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2020

Rehearsal Video • Breathtaking Morales “Sanctus”

CCW contributors—Jeff, Veronica, Andrea, and Cynthia—each recorded a line for this recording.

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Cordero de Dios”
    Feel free to download this setting of the “Cordero de Dios” (AGNUS DEI) in Spanish. The congregation gets an interesting melody within reach, the organist gets a straightforward accompaniment, and the person assembling the ORDER OF WORSHIP gets a ‘ready-to-paste’ plainsong version. Try this setting of the “Santo, Santo, Santo” (SANCTUS) if you desire one that’s easy to sing and includes a simple organ accompaniment. For the record, I have harmonized the Spanish “GLORIA” found in the MISAL ROMANO, Tercera Edición. Click here to download that.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Be Joyful Mary” • Organ Interlude

    Peter Piel (1835–1904), was a Roman Catholic composer named “Royal Music Director” under Wilhelm I, King of Prussia.

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    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Our Father” (1 page)
    Dutch organist, teacher, and conductor HERMAN STRATEGIER (d. 1988) studied under Hendrik Andriessen. He composed this unison setting with organ accompaniment for the LORD’S PRAYER (“Our Father”) which a children’s choir would find both within reach and worthy of the effort. The whole thing fits neatly on a single page. Strategier eventually became organist of Saint Catherine’s Cathedral in Utrecht. He also taught at the “Dutch Institute for Catholic Church Music” (Nederlands Instituut voor Katholieke Kerkmuziek).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Preface of Saint Joseph (added by the pope)

    You can see the “Præfatio de Sancto Joseph” inserted directly into the priest’s missal.

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    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Predictable Rhymes?” • A Follow Up
    We received considerable correspondence regarding my article, Two Ways to Defile a Hymn. More specifically, what really raised certain people’s hackles was its follow-up article dealing with the keyboard accompaniment for the CHRIST THE KING HYMNAL. But to quote Eliza Doolittle: “Have I said anything I oughtn’t?” Please examine this PDF file and see whether you agree. Were the editors of the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL incorrect to insist upon sophisticated and clever rhymes, rather than mind-numbingly predictable rhymes?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Ould’ But Not Good
    Dom Samuel Gregory Ould (note the spelling) was a Benedictine monk at FORT AUGUSTUS ABBEY in Scotland. As musician, organist, and composer, Dom Ould was highly regarded. Moreover, he was considered an authority on Gregorian Chant. But not everything found in an old book—or, in this case, an “Ould” book—is necessarily praiseworthy. Consider this page from Dom Ould’s hymnal. Do you see the rhymes? They offend severely by ABR (“Abuse By Reuse”) and are utterly predictable. In my recent article—Two Ways to Defile a Hymn—I addressed this topic.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Pope Francis breaks Catholic traditions whenever he wants because he is free from disordered attachments. Our Church has indeed entered a new phase: with the advent of this first Jesuit pope, it is openly ruled by an individual rather than by the authority of Scripture alone or even its own dictates of tradition plus Scripture.”

— Fr. Thomas Rosica (31 July 2018)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Antiphons Which Are Sung Whilst the Blessed Sacrament Is Exposed”
  • PDF Download • Organ Harmonization for a Splendid Version of “O Salutaris Hostia”
  • Musical Lineup • “Mass of Thanksgiving for a Newly-Ordained Priest”
  • PDF Download • “Cordero de Dios”
  • PDF Download • “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” — Simple Organ Interludes (5 pages)

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