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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 · 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.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2017

“23rd” {repeat} Sunday after Pentecost (3rd in November)

“…and without parables He did not speak to them; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 15, 2017

The Man Who Thrice Rejected Knighthood

Excerpt from a documentary on “St. Thomas More” (Paul Scofield) which in 1966 won six Oscars at the Academy Awards.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 13, 2017

SATB “Alleluia” (Fr. Morales) • for both OF and EF

This piece is perfect for “stealthily” adding polyphony to the Ordinary Form.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2017

Fulton J. Sheen • “Hints On Public Speaking”

We choirmasters are frequently called upon to speak in public.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2017

Image • Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599)

It’s based on Pacheco’s version, created the year Guerrero died.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2017

23rd Sunday after Pentecost (2nd in November)

“Amen I say to you, whatsoever, you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive, and it shall be done to you.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 7, 2017

New English Hymnal • Voice-Leading

Constant critics are corrosive.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2017

6 Suggestions • “Promoting The Latin Mass”

Msgr. Charles Pope has several sagacious suggestions!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2017

Archbishop Sheen Played The Organ!

Sheen told Ferris that he wanted a classical repertoire at the cathedral in Rochester, including Gregorian chant.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 3, 2017

Never Print With Adobe Acrobat

It’s remarkable that owning fully-updated software and pristine hardware makes no difference…

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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

“You should try to eat their food in the way they prepare it, although it may be dirty, half-cooked, and very tasteless. As to the other numerous things which may be unpleasant, they must be endured for the love of God, without saying anything or appearing to notice them.”

— Fr. Paul Le Jeune (1637)

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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