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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 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

Why I No Longer Compose

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

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 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

NBC “Meet The Press” & Catholic Church Music

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

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 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+

Jeff Ostrowski · August 11, 2014

Mass Propers In English

Roosevelt was President while paralyzed. Churchill gave speeches but couldn’t pronounce “S” correctly. Surely, then, we can implement the Mass Propers with these 11 collections! • the Graduale Romanum has been set in English by many composers; here are some collections with audio samples+

Jeff Ostrowski · August 11, 2014

Important Resources for Liturgical Reform (4 of 7)

Should Church music be fun? Yes!!!

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Season’s End Repertoire
    Looking at the REPERTOIRE SHEET until the end of the choral season, I see that I’ve fallen behind schedule. (The last three months have been extraordinarily busy.) As you know, I have been providing organ harmonies for all the ENTRANCE CHANTS—as well as rehearsal videos—and you can see I’m behind where I planned to be. Now I must make up lost ground. However, the choir picks up the ENTRANCE CHANT with ease, so I’m sure it will all work out. My ‘unofficial’ harmonizations are being posted each week at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
    From a mediæval Book of Hours, I was sent this glorious depiction of a Roman Catholic funeral procession by Simon Bening (d. 1561). The image resolution is extremely high. I’m not sure I know of a more beautiful illustration of a mediæval church. And I love how the servers are wearing red and pink cassocks!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
    Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —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

Random Quote

“When formerly our churches were poor, and the means of presenting the services of the Church limited, there may have been a strained excuse for the light and unecclesiastical music so often heard…”

— Most Rev’d Richard Gilmour, Bishop of Cleveland (13 April 1886)

Recent Posts

  • “Translating the Bible” • Msgr. Ronald Knox (1953)
  • Season’s End Repertoire
  • PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
  • Re: The “Correct” Way To Sing Gregorian Chant
  • PDF Download • Ascension “Entrance Chant”

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