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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 2, 2017

PDF Download • All Souls Day

Here’s the booklet we used for All Souls (2 November).

Jeff Ostrowski · October 31, 2017

Brave Director Posts “Live” Recording

A word of encouragement for choirmasters…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 30, 2017

Powerful & Thought-Provoking

“We are giving the world a chance to think about the ethics of choosing which humans get a chance at life.”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 30, 2017

Hymn by Professor at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary

This PDF score has the Latin (on one side) and two English versions on the other.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2017

PDF Download • Congregational “Dies Irae”

…including two reasons I believe a liturgical reform was desired in the 1960s.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 26, 2017

Josquin Des Prez Vandalized Stuff (!)

It’s hard for us to remember that the famous composers were not hired as such—they were hired as singers.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 26, 2017

Christ The King Sunday (5th in October)

“Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a King. For this was I born, and for I this came I into the world…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 25, 2017

“Why Sacred Music Hasn’t Been Killed” [Six Reasons]

Lyrics from GIA Worship IV Hymnal: “Who is this who eats with sinners, calling luckless losers winners?”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 20, 2017

January 7-12 • Mahrt, Weber, and Buchholz!

The Church Music Association of America is pleased to announce the third Winter Sacred Music Workshop for Chant and Polyphony.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 20, 2017

[299 pages] • Simple Polyphony For Choirs

Every single piece has free rehearsal videos for your choir members!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2017

20th Sunday after Pentecost (4th in October)

“…be ye filled with the holy Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2017

Sensational Testimony • On Our Feastday!

“Fr. Ryan told me he’s amazed at how the liturgy has been transformed, and that never in seminary did he believe this kind of liturgy would be possible at a Montana parish.”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2017

PDF Download • Rare German Hymnal

Fr. Guido Maria Dreves was a Jesuit priest who died in 1909.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 15, 2017

Video • “Subveníte Sancti Dei” (Requiem)

November 2nd will be here soon!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 14, 2017

19th Sunday after Pentecost (3rd in October)

“Let Thy healing power, O Lord, in mercy deliver us from our waywardness and cause us ever to cleave to Thy commandments…”

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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

“The Second Vatican Council has not been treated as a part of the entire living Tradition of the Church, but as an end of Tradition, a new start from zero. The truth is that this particular council defined no dogma at all, and deliberately chose to remain on a modest level, as a merely pastoral council; and yet many treat it as though it had made itself into a sort of superdogma which takes away the importance of all the rest.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger (speaking formally as head of the CDF)

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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