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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 · December 6, 2017

Quickest Psalm Tone Ever Created

A nicely done Psalm Tone is preferred to a poorly sung authentic version.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 5, 2017

Rorate Caeli • “Very Ancient Catholic Song”

This Catholic hymnal was written by a priest named “Police.” (not kidding)

Jeff Ostrowski · December 3, 2017

2nd Sunday of Advent (2nd of December)

Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What went you out into the desert to see?”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2017

360º Footage of Vespers • How cool is this?

Fr. Valentine used to say: “If you don’t blow your own horn, nobody else is going to blow it for you.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2017

Msgr. Knox • “Ten Commandments” for Crime Stories

Knox was a founding member of the “Detection Club,” which included Agatha Christie and G. K. Chesterton.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2017

PDF Download • “How To Serve Mass” (1651)

“Pausing a little, arise, make Adoration to the Sacrament, give the Pax to those present, observe Order of calling, and Years…”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2017

40% savings!

Here are some books you might consider…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2017

PBS • “Gregorian Chant at the Seminary”

At the time I’m posting, this video has 355 views—let’s see if we can raise that number!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2017

Final Sunday after Pentecost (4th in November)

“And from the fig-tree learn a parable: when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2017

PDF Download • “Evening Masses and Days of Obligation” (58 pages)

Permission has been given to post this marvelous 2016 dissertation by Fr. Shawn Tunink.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2017

“Simultaneous Fulfillment” of Mass Obligation?

Christmas falls on a Monday this year—but documentation shows “double dipping” is forbidden.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2017

PDF Download • Authentic Irish Hymnal (164 pages)

Imagine the amount of time required to typeset something like this!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2017

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua…

“The heavens and the earth proclaim thy glory…”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 17, 2017

Choir Members Photograph

Do you take pictures of your choir? Photographs can serve as nice reminders of wonderful experiences.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2017

A Hymn That Just Keeps Popping Up

Bach’s music inhabits “a still and serious world…without color, without light, without motion” from which we cannot break away.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Spectacular Communion Setting!
    The FAUXBOURDON setting of the Communion for the Baptism of the Lord (which will occur this coming Sunday) strikes me as quite spectacular. The verses—composed by the fifth century Christian poet, Coelius Sedulius—come from a long alphabetical acrostic and are deservedly famous. The feast of the LORD’S BAPTISM was traditionally the octave day of Epiphany, but in the 1962 kalendar it was made ‘more explicit’ or emphasized. The 1970 MISSALE ROMANUM elevated this feast even further.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 11 January)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (SUNDAY, 11 January 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon—to say nothing of the antiphon itself—are breathtaking. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the monumental feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of January (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Participation” in the Mass does not mean hearing our own voices. It means God hearing our voices. Only He knows who is “participating” at Mass. I believe, to compare small things with great, that I “participate” in a work of art when I study it and love it silently.

— Evelyn Waugh

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