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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 · April 25, 2017

Brace Yourself • “Raw” Recordings from Solemn Mass

There’s something remarkable about instances where the people involved don’t realize a recording is being made.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 23, 2017

PDF Download • “Compline for Sunday”

My ignorance vis–à–vis the 1962 Breviary will astound you…

Jeff Ostrowski · April 21, 2017

Musical Resources • “Quasimodo Sunday”

“Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 21, 2017

Nine Questions About The Latin Mass You Were Too Embarrassed To Ask

When I first attended the Traditional Mass, I hated it.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 17, 2017

PDF Download • Last Minute Holy Saturday File

“The use of Psalm 150 is a change from the experimental Easter Vigil (1951-1955) in which Psalm 116 was used for Lauds.” —Msgr. McManus

Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2017

“Reproaches” for Good Friday (Recording)

The indispensable “Musician’s Guide to Good Friday,” including a 50-page PDF and rehearsal videos!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 13, 2017

Do these Holy Thursday rubrics strike you as odd?

I haven’t studied the situation enough to know with certainty.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 12, 2017

“Contemporary” Catholic Music • Is it truly dead?

Today we announce a special guest who will be present at the Sacred Music Symposium!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 12, 2017

Musical Resources • Holy Thursday (EF)

“O God, from Whom Judas received the punishment of his crime, and the thief the reward of his confession…”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2017

PDF Download • Booklet for Congregation

May I share a secret?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2017

Accompaniment: “Credo III” (Parochial Hymnal)

Easiest organ accompaniment to Credo III ever penned.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2017

Intensely Powerful • “Requiem” Production (FSSP)

I’ve never seen a more beautiful promo video.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2017

Musical Resources • Palm Sunday (1962) 1

“The multitude goeth forth to meet our Redeemer with flowers and palms, and payeth the homage due to a triumphant conqueror.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2017

Strong Vibrato • What Do You Think?

In my view, a “tight” vibrato can be quite a beautiful thing.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 3, 2017

Mesmerizing Credo Setting (SATB) • After Machaut

Two young ladies helped record these 14th-century harmonies.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“Rarely indeed,” asserted Pope Benedict XV (2 October 1921), “has the idealism of art and the glory of the faith been joined in such perfect harmony” as in the works of Palestrina and fellow polyphonists.

— Quoted by Gerard Ellard SJ (Church history professor at St. Mary’s College, KS)

Recent Posts

  • Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

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