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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 · October 21, 2014

The Passing Of Helen Hull Hitchcock

Helen was a rare person. She cared deeply about others.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 20, 2014

Jacqueline Kennedy & The Roman Catholic Liturgy

Kennedy had no regrets about refusing to take the blood-stained suit off.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 20, 2014

Cardinal Pell: “I’ve Never Seen Pope Francis Irritated!”

An Australian speaking Italian! Very cool to hear.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 13, 2014

“Music Of An Altogether Profane And Worldy Character Is Unworthy For Church” —Bugnini

“The principles of sacredness and dignity which distinguish church music, in regard to its singing and its musical instruments, should remain intact.” —Cardinal Lercaro (1966)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2014

Pope Francis Allows A Flock Of Children To Dance Around Him

Is it appropriate for a pope to let kids dance around him in such a crazy fashion?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 9, 2014

25% off all Lulu books until 15 October 2014

I can’t resist sharing a SPECIAL COUPON to save you 25% on all orders without exception!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 7, 2014

PDF Download: Extremely Rare Catholic Hymnal From London (1948)

A 355-page collection of English hymns by musicians from Westminster and Solesmes.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 29, 2014

Unforgivable Sins

The great Achilles’ heel of church musicians.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2014

Are We Getting Dumber?

In spite of all the progress our civilizations have made, the self-appointed “expert liturgists” are regressing.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 23, 2014

Photographs • Cardinal Lercaro (Consilium President)

Cardinal Lercaro (President of the Consilium) must not be mixed up with Cardinal Larraona (Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites).

Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2014

Fair-Weather Friends Of Good Liturgy & Pope Francis

The catastrophic scandals in our Church, especially those perpetrated by members of the hierarchy, are an opportunity for us to place all of our trust in God.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 21, 2014

WEDDING MUSIC FOR A B

(A) Organ music for procession. (B) Introit = Ladies —- “Deus Israel” (C) Kyrie (Rene as Tenor) = 5294 • KYRIE “Iste Sanctus” Figure out how it will be sung… Normal is fine. (D) Gloria (Rene as Tenor) = 7709 • Viadana “Falsobordone Gloria” (E) ALLELUIA (Rene as Tenor) = 3524 • Guerrero “Alleluia” for […]

Jeff Ostrowski · September 17, 2014

Positive Liturgical Fruits Of Vatican II: Second Part

I know people will attack me for saying this, but I’m against “concert Masses”—and I think that quote from “Sacrosanctum Concilium” backs me up.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 16, 2014

Spectacular Video: Porfiri Conducts Requiem For Parents In China

“As you notice, they sing the whole concert—seventeen pieces—all by memory. They are really amazing.” — Aurelio Porfiri

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2014

Can Church Musicians Learn From An Online Role-Playing Game?

Let’s help Catholics appreciate the richness of polyphonic music, which can be quite powerful.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?
    Choirs love to sing the resplendent tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1929, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. Their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1929 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. As always, the Germans added an organ INTRODUCTION. For the record, I posted a different harmonization a few months ago which was downloaded more than 2,000 times.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
    Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Monsignor Klaus Gamber Speaks!
    An interesting quotation from the eminent liturgist, Monsignor Klaus Gamber (d. 1989): “According to canon law, a person’s affiliation with a particular liturgical rite is determined by that person’s rite of baptism. Given that the liturgical reforms of Pope Paul VI created a de facto new rite, one could assert that those among the faithful who were baptized according to the traditional Roman rite have the right to continue following that rite; just as priests who were ordained according to the traditional Ordo have the right to exercise the very rite that they were ordained to celebrate.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We turn to the East when we stand to pray, since this is where the sun and the stars rise. It is not, of course, as if God were there alone and had forsaken the rest of creation. Rather, when these earthly bodies of ours are turned towards the more excellent, heavenly bodies, our minds are thereby prompted to turn towards the most excellent being, that is, to our Lord.”

— Saint Augustine of Hippo

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Marian Antiphon Booklet” (4 pages) + Five Rhythmic Considerations
  • False Accusations
  • (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?
  • PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
  • “Can Choral Music Survive?” • 3 Reasons It Will

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