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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 · August 1, 2016

Does Your Bishop Enforce The GIRM?

They will assume—and why shouldn’t they?—that “approved by the USCCB” applies to the hymns and songs…

Jeff Ostrowski · July 30, 2016

Why is a Raven Like a Writing Desk?

“To the historian their decisions are disgusting nonsense that people of my kind want simply to ignore.” — Fr. Adrian Fortescue (1919)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 27, 2016

Letter To A Volunteer Choir…

The singers know their individual contribution is essential.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 27, 2016

Musical Resources • 11th Sunday after Pentecost

“…pour forth Thy mercy upon us, to take away from us those things which our conscience feareth…”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 26, 2016

Victoria Alleluia • Extraordinary & Ordinary Form

If your priest requires the congregation sing the “Alleluia,” there’s a nice way to do this.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 24, 2016

Musical Resources • 10th Sunday after Pentecost

“O God, Who dost chiefly manifest Thy power in forbearance and mercy…”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 20, 2016

PDF Download • St. Cecilia Hymnal (1937)

Like all the books we release, this extremely rare hymnal was previously unavailable until we scanned and uploaded it.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 17, 2016

Showdown in Arkansas over “Ad Orientem”

The Bishop of Little Rock has sent a letter (14 July 2016) forbidding his priests to celebrate Mass “ad orientem.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2016

Musical Resources • 9th Sunday after Pentecost

“…and that Thou mayest grant their desires to them, make them ask only for things that please Thee…”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2016

Shocking Developments From Westminster

If Cardinal Nichols had simply sent a letter saying why he prefers “versus populum,” I believe that would have been a better choice.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2016

SATB “Agnus Dei” after Fr. Gregorio Allegri (d. 1652)

Without question, the most popular piece I ever “wrote.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 12, 2016

Did Fr. Lombardi Contradict Cardinal Sarah?

Perhaps a better phrase would be Bishop Gracida’s version: “Renewal of the Renewal.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2016

“Quam Singulari” • Decree on First Communion (1910)

Pope St. Pius X wanted this decree to be read each year from the pulpit by all Catholic priests.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 6, 2016

Sensational Hymn for St. Joseph … with Modern Polyphony!

We’ll be singing this piece a lot because our priest has a special devotion to St. Joseph.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 2, 2016

“Confiteor” Before Communion • Should It Be Done?

Six reasons in favor of the “Second Confiteor” and my thoughts.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?
    When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“Catholics in America have been the heirs of a sentimental and subjective hymn tradition that, for some reason or other, has taken a deep and fast hold on the fancy of the average person.”

— Fr. Francis Brunner (1953)

Recent Posts

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

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