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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 · February 12, 2018

“Live Excerpts” … With One Rehearsal

This is something we will do again, because I think there’s great potential here.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 9, 2018

How Medieval Books Were Made

Absolutely *fascinating* beyond words!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 8, 2018

Brave Schola Director Posts “Live” Recording 1

…recorded on 28 January 2018.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2018

Video • Ratzinger made a Cardinal by Paul VI

Quite beautiful, but I prefer a different harmonization of “Holy God We Praise Thy Name”…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2018

Sexagesima Sunday (Extraordinary Form)

“Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2018

PDF Download • “Agnus Dei” … for Lent

…including rehearsal videos for each individual voice!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2018

Septuagesima Sunday (Extraordinary Form)

“The groans of death surround me, the sorrows of hell encompassed me…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 24, 2018

English Prayers at EF Mass • How old are they?

The English translation memorized by “Latin Mass” Catholics goes back centuries!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 22, 2018

PDF Download • Dom Pothier Biography (1947)

“Dom Pothier himself acted as an illustrator, decorating his work with vignettes, illuminated capitals, tailpieces, even full-page illustrations representing the mysteries of the Annunciation and Christmas.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2018

PDF • “Hosanna” Catholic Hymnal (285 Pages)

“Many choirs of children still use hymnals that are wretched from a musical and ecclesiastical standpoint…” —Fr. Ludwig Bonvin

Jeff Ostrowski · January 18, 2018

3rd Sunday after Epiphany (Extraordinary Form)

“…and behold a leper came and adored Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt Thou canst make me clean.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2018

Spanish Subtitles Added • Absolutely Superb!

The interviews with young Catholics are truly awesome.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2018

PDF Download • Easy Hymn with Melody in Tenor

The Brébeuf hymnal contains carefully chosen and flexible melodies; do you see how the following tune (“Old Hundredth”) can be used in the Tenor voice?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 10, 2018

Does CCW Matter? Some Messages…

“Keep on doing what you do; despite criticism.” —A reader

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2018

PDF Download • Anglican Hymnal (1,151 pages)

I bet you’ve not seen this fascinating book! • Many pieces in this Anglican collection are actually translations of Roman Catholic hymns, such as Ave Maris Stella, Audi Benigne Conditor, Ad Regias Agni Dapes, and so forth • Readers will mainly be interested in sections 3 and 4 • The “Englished” versions of the propers (e.g. Puer Natus Est) are quite interesting+

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President’s Corner

    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simple click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
    The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
    German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest. Notice they also added a ‘tailpiece’ or ‘playout’ or postlude at the end—a very German thing to do!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

Random Quote

“The following few hints on the selection of voices may be useful: (1) Reject all boys who speak roughly, or sing coarsely; (2) Choose bright, intelligent-looking boys, provided they have a good ear; they will much more readily respond to the choirmaster’s efforts than boys who possess a voice and nothing more; therefore, (3) Reject dull, sulky, or scatter-brained boys, since it is hard to say which of the three has the most demoralizing effect on his more willing companions.”

— Sir Richard Runciman Terry (1912)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
  • PDF Download • “Rarer Than a Blue Moon” — Side-by-Side English Translation (Pius XII Psalter)
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
  • PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”

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