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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 22, 2019

PDF Download • “Chant Service Book” (208 pages)

An extremely rare book from 1941, containing all your favorite Gregorian chants!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2019

2nd Sunday after Epiphany • Saint Vitus Parish (LA)

“New evidence of wondrous pow’r | Behold in Cana’s marriage-dow’r; | Swift its own nature to resign, | The water blushes into wine.” —Msgr. Knox

Jeff Ostrowski · January 16, 2019

Bishop Barron Vs. Hymn by Marty Haugen (2018)

“Heaven is not light-years away; that’s a silly way to think about it.” —Most Rev’d Robert Barron

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2019

“Church Music Manifesto” (2019)

Mass should be a peaceful experience for the congregation, not an opportunity to be harassed.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2019

“How To Use The Brébeuf Hymnal” (Video)

Yay! Short tutorial videos eradicate confusion!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2019

“Missa de Angelis” • But in Iroquoian! (1865)

Many people don’t realize that gorgeous plainsong books were printed in the 19th century…but they were not in Latin.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2019

“Mister Eye” • Do You Mind Him?

What do you think of “eye rhymes” in hymnody?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2019

Marcel Dupré • “Live” Recording (2 Feb 1964)

A recording of Bach’s A-minor Prelude & Fugue made by the master at age 78.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2018

PDF Booklet • Christmas Midnight Mass (36 pages)

It looks so simple when placed in a booklet like that…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2018

The Most Popular Hymn Tunes? • A List

I could not have been more thrilled to see this list—those are exactly the tunes I love!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2018

Counter-Melodies • “Accompaniment of Psalm Tones”

Go to the 1:07 marker and you will hear something worth dying for…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 15, 2018

Christmas Midnight Mass • Saint Vitus Parish (LA)

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 13, 2018

Seven Tips • “Directing A Catholic Choir”

The physical and mental demands made upon a choirmaster are considerable.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 8, 2018

PDF • “Creator Alme Siderum” (Organ Accompaniment)

Each verse written out, with a translation by Fr. Adrian Fortescue.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 7, 2018

Exclusive images! • Draft Pages (Brébeuf Hymnal)

As you can see, this new hymnal is pleasantly thin and not heavy.

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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

If then Dom Pothier has sometimes adapted authentic melodies found elsewhere in the manuscripts to texts of the Mass it is not, as Mr. X. maintains, because he has “composed them from scratch and declared them as traditional.”

— Most Rev’d Henri Laurent Janssens (25 November 1905)

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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