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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 · September 9, 2014

That Inscrutable Creature On The Internet

I’ve come to realize that truth & beauty should be loved for their own sake. Trying to “possess” them is silly.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 8, 2014

Have We Lost The Church Music Battle?

The traditional music still triumphs in one important area: parishes run by “no-nonsense” priests.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2014

PDF Download: Mediator Dei Hymnal (1955)

This book’s editor had the reputation of being a “walking encyclopedia” of American hymnology…

Jeff Ostrowski · September 1, 2014

Barack Obama & Catholic Sacred Music

I wish somebody had explained this to me in 2005, when I began working for the Ordinary Form.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2014

Choirs & Singers With Spread Vowels — Best Example Ever!

When teaching your choir to hear the difference between “spread” vowels & proper choral vowels, use this example.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2014

Why I No Longer Compose

When I observe our beautiful children, I realize that God is the True Artist.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 27, 2014

Dan Schutte’s “Missa My Little Pony” (2nd Part)

My original article was shared 4,000 times and generated a surprising amount of hate mail.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2014

Pope John Paul II Wearing The Cappa Magna (As Cardinal Wojtyla)

The most marvelous uniform I’ve seen was the one worn by Prince Charles when he married Diana.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2014

NBC “Meet The Press” & Catholic Church Music

At the program’s conclusion, I felt dumber than when I’d started watching.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 24, 2014

Photo: Church Music Association of America (1964)

This historic photograph was taken at the organizational meeting for the CMAA the same year “Inter Oecumenici” was issued by the Vatican.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 21, 2014

How To Debunk Four Common Liturgical Myths

The priest returned to the Altar, removed the big red Missal, carried it to the pulpit, and proceeded to translate the entire Gospel into English.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 19, 2014

Kirsten Powers & The Hound of Heaven

“I’ll never forget standing outside that apartment and saying to myself, ‘It’s true. It’s completely true.’ … I had not one iota of doubt. I was filled with indescribable joy.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 18, 2014

Breaking News! Pope Francis Refuses To Adopt “Narrative” Of Progressive Liturgists

That Tablet article could best be described as ill-informed gossip from an unqualified author with too much time on his hands…

Jeff Ostrowski · August 14, 2014

CALLING ALL PRIESTS! —Your Parishioners Are Waiting… They’re Waiting For…

“Before the Council, liturgical law was regarded as something sacred; but everyone now feels authorized to do what he likes…” — Cardinal Antonelli (24 July 1968)

Jeff Ostrowski · August 12, 2014

Some Thoughts On “Englishing” Gregorian Chant

But why bring up this subject at all, when probably 95% of Catholic priests have no familiarity with Gregorian chant? • concerning the challenges of composing Gregorian chant in English+

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Job Opening • $65,000 per year +
    A parish 15 minutes away from me is looking for a choir director and organist. The parish is filled with young families. When I began my career, I would have jumped at such an opportunity! Saint Patrick’s in Grand Haven has a job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year including benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” I lived in Kansas for 15 years, Texas for 10 years, and Los Angeles for 10 years. Michigan is the closest place I know to heaven!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Random Quote

According to the Instruction “Musicam sacram” of 5 March 1967, Article 34 §1, the polyphonic “Ordinarium Missae” can in the future still be sung suetis normis, “according to the customary norms,” i.e. by the choir. In fact, this form of the high Mass is placed in high relief compared to the other forms, among which the congregationally sung Gregorian chant Mass deserves our special attention.

— Monsignor Overath (President, “Consociatio Internationalis Musicæ Sacræ” founded by Pope Saint Paul VI

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