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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 · February 19, 2014

Comedian Jimmy Fallon Wanted To Be A Priest

“My grandfather was very religious, so I used to go to mass with him at like 6:45am to serve Mass and then you made money too if you did weddings and funerals.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2014

1965 Video • Dedication of an Irish Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas, commonly known as Galway Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Galway, Ireland.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2014

PDF Download • 1974 “Graduale Romanum”

“How can we celebrate this new rite when we have not yet got a complete missal, and there are still so many uncertainties about what to do?” — Pope Paul VI (1969 General Audience)+

Jeff Ostrowski · February 13, 2014

How To Hyphenate Latin Words (Break into different syllables)

I’ve spoken harshly of musicians who don’t cultivate social skills and are “obsessed” with insignificant things. I suppose that makes me a total hypocrite for posting this …

Jeff Ostrowski · February 13, 2014

Why Can’t We Use Secular Music During Mass?

Listen to these audio files. Is there any difference between “My Little Pony” and Dan Schutte’s 2012 “Glory To God” setting? Is that a cause for concern?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 9, 2014

Jungmann’s Remarkable Statement About The Mass Propers In 1964

In essence, Jungmann is saying, “I’ve decided that each Mass has a theme, and if the ancient Propers don’t match it, they’ve been wrong for 1600 years.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 5, 2014

Whence Came The New Eucharistic Prayers?

When the three new Canons were published, the Consilium sent the conferences a letter (dated 2 June 1968) “to assist catechesis on the anaphoras of the Mass.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 5, 2014

1965 Ordo Missae … In Spanish!

Kyle, one of our readers, sent us this fascinating liturgical artifact.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 4, 2014

Mp3 Audio: “Why Do I Use My Paper, Ink, And Pen”

The fact that this recording was created by one person will astound you. The fact that it’s offered to you free of charge is even better!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 3, 2014

“Polls Ye Shall Always Have With You”

When was the last time you saw the music of today’s popular Catholic composers treated in a serious way?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2014

Benedict Brought Peace To The Church With “Summorum Pontificum”

“If the right is given to African tribes to include their pagan traditions in the liturgy, I think the same should also be given to the rite of a thousand year-old Christian Church, based on a much older Roman tradition.” — László Dobszay

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2014

“Cannot” vs. “Will Not” in Sacred Music

Maybe I should have used the annoying little saying I learned as a kid: “I would if I could, but I can’t, so I won’t.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 25, 2014

Now Online! Fr. Josef Jungmann’s Study of the Roman Rite “Missarum Sollemnia”

Freely PDF download of Fr. Jungmann’s masterpiece, “The Mass of the Roman Rite: its origins and development.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 24, 2014

Ratzinger: “How much filth there is in the church!”

“Have mercy on your church,” Cardinal Ratzinger prayed in 2005. “When we fall, we drag you down to earth, and Satan laughs, for he hopes that you will not be able to rise from that fall; he hopes that being dragged down in the fall of your church, you will remain prostrate and overpowered.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2014

Dom Joseph Gajard (1885-1972)

The greatest choirmaster of Solesmes and chef d’atelier of the Paléographic Musicale.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
    About a month ago, I created a simplified keyboard accompaniment for “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”—the famous ADVENT hymn—using a melody called CROSS OF JESUS. It was soon downloaded more than 1,000 times. As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for the belovèd Epiphany hymn “Bethlehem! Of noblest cities” (O Sola Magnarum Urbium) by clicking on this link (PDF file). Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult, which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Psalm Tone Challenge!
    Many readers know that Tone 1a3 is the most difficult PSALM TONE in the 1962 books (and isn’t called for very often). But what about very short verses—which is the absolute most concise you know? The shortest PSALM TONE segment I know would be the fourth verse (PDF) from Psalm 44, used during Matins at Christmas. It’s literally one word long. If you know a more minuscule one, please email me!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“[Sacrosanctum Conclium’s implementation was] horrible, if we judge the debate on the liturgy as we have it today. Very few bishops would be proud to say they had a hand in it. Communion in the hand was never mentioned in the debate, neither was the word table (mensa) to take the place of altar—place of sacrifice… In my opinion the Debate on the Liturgy has been hijacked. The Council was…to reform, not to change completely.”

— Bishop Ignatius Doggett (who took part in Vatican II)

Recent Posts

  • “Puer Natus in Béthlehem” • (Added Fifths)
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  • How Does The Vatican “Rhythm” Actually Sound?
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
  • “Adeste Fideles” • Too Many Translations!

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