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 · February 2, 2016

Ridiculously Awesome Sanctus You’ve Never Heard

We are not allowed to sing Tropes in the Extraordinary Form, so I added that text in italics.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 2, 2016

PDF Download • Simple Pieces For Roman Catholic Church Choirs (345 Pages)

First published in 1901 by Emile Dethier, organist at the Grand Seminary in Liège, Belgium.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2016

Musical Resources • Sexagesima Sunday (EF)

“Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, almighty God, that those whom Thou refreshest with Thy sacraments…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2016

Chosen Your Easter Alleluia Yet?

It’s time—and here’s one you’ll love.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2016

Not Your Grandmother’s Creed

Composer David Haas posted a striking proclamation on his Facebook page.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 24, 2016

Musical Resources • Septuagesima Sunday (Extraordinary Form)

Yet the laborer called at the eleventh hour does not taste the joy reserved to one who has “worked and suffered without reckoning the hours.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2016

| Part 3 of 3 | • “Kyrie Eleison” (SATB) within the reach of any choir!

Only one word describes Guerrero’s musical genius: fearsome.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2016

The Pope Who Had … A Child?

Then the Pope declared that it was the motet’s words—not its melody—which annoyed him.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2016

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

“Sanctify, O Lord, the gifts we offer, and purify us from the stains of our sins…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2016

Staggering Canonic Setting • “Gloria” from Mass III

By the French Roman Catholic composer, Raphaël Mercier (d. 1953).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2016

Ludwig Passini: “Canons in the Church of St. Peter”

Their garments resemble the “winter” cappa magna.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2016

Gregory Ceurvorst Harmonizing The Chabanel Psalms

I saw something cool on YouTube.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2016

Musical Resources • Feast of the Holy Family (Extraordinary Form)

“O Lord Jesus Christ, who—in the days of thy subjection to Mary and Joseph—didst consecrate home life by ineffable acts of virtue…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2016

Letter To The FSSP Choir In Los Angeles

There’s something less scary you can do to help build up God’s Kingdom.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2016

VIDEO • Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen & William F. Buckley

In 1971, Sheen appeared on “Firing Line” and spoke about St. Augustine.

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

“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

“One of his most cherished wishes was to promote congregational singing wherever possible, for he held it to be most instructive for people of all classes and a powerful means of arousing an intelligent interest in the beauties of our sacred liturgy, especially in regard to the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He loved to dwell in this respect upon the remarkable results achieved in parishes where the congregation had been taught to sing correctly the different portions of the Mass in plain chant.”

— Cardinal Merry del Val, speaking of Cardinal Sarto