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 · June 8, 2015

USCCB: “Revised Grail Psalter” Will Be Revised Again

“I cannot understand why a private family can be made worldwide agent for the official prayers of the Church.” —Dr. Jerry Galipeau

Jeff Ostrowski · June 7, 2015

Message From A “Traditional” Priest

“Believe me we had some long offices back in those days.”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 7, 2015

Musical Resources • 2nd Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

Some EF communities will celebrate the “External Solemnity” of Corpus Christi today.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 6, 2015

On This Day . . . In 1944

Soldiers attending Mass during World War II.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 5, 2015

Eerie Silence After Cardinal Sarah’s Testimony

Cardinal Sarah has committed an “unforgivable sin” in the opinion of progressive liturgists.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 4, 2015

Order of Worship • “Mass VIII” — High Resolution Images

It seems many wish to include Mass VIII in their program booklets.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 3, 2015

Finding A Liturgical Context

A very important article recently appeared in the Adoremus Bulletin.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 2, 2015

“Lauda Sion” • Rehearsal Video With Translation By Saint Robert Southwell, Jesuit Martyr

Many of the big publishing companies skip the Corpus Christi Sequence—they literally leave it blank.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 1, 2015

GIA Publications: “Painful Blessing Of A New Sensitivity”

I really don’t “get” the lyrics in Catholic hymnals by the major publishers.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 30, 2015

Musical Resources • Trinity Sunday (1962 Missal)

The last time we sing “Vidi Aquam” is Pentecost Sunday; now we go back to “Asperges Me.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2015

Polyphony (3 voices) by Morales with Hymn (2 voices) for the Holy Trinity

Including rehearsal videos and special 13th-century hymn to the Most Holy Trinity.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2015

Coolest Liturgical Image Of All Time?

Fantastic photograph taken by our organist during Mass on Sunday…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 26, 2015

You Will Want To Print This Liturgical Article

“Once familiar features of the preconciliar rite are now as remote to us as some obscure aboriginal ritual.” —Msgr. McManus (1980)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2015

The Movie “I Confess” Shows A Liturgical Sensibility

Throughout the movie, Hitchcock seems to imitate the liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2015

Flashback • Pope Benedict XVI (Pentecost 2008)

For reasons I don’t fully understand, this chasuble was only worn once.

New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed