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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 · May 23, 2013

Controversial Statements About The Mass Propers

The notion that the texts are there “to remind us that we should be singing something else” could not be further from the truth.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 23, 2013

The Church Is Alive And Strong!

“The Church asks those who will lead and shepherd her communities of Faith to give up the possibility of marital love as a prophetic witness that there is something even more important to our happiness than even beautiful intimacy possible in Christian marriage.” — Archbishop Naumann, 18 May 2013

Jeff Ostrowski · May 22, 2013

American Airlines & Anti-Catholic Lies

I took out my iPhone to record his exact words (“we don’t have any more airplanes”) and he called security on me. Classy.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 20, 2013

Poterack Vs. Tucker — Uh, Sort Of . . .

The Sacred Congregation of Rites and the Consilium issued a joint statement on December 29,1966 prohibiting profane music in church. When Consilium spokesman Monsignor Annibale Bugnini was asked at a press conference what was meant by “profane” music, he said that this referred to such things as “jazz” Masses and instruments such as the guitar.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2013

Why The Vatican II Hymnal Is The Best Hymn Book Ever Of All Time!

This hymn almost brought me to tears. I was shaking as I played it. It’s really beautiful and even haunting. But I was worried about the ending until I realized it was like the “smile” on the Mona Lisa.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 13, 2013

Fr. Rumble Of “Radio Replies” Comments On Folksinging At Mass

“We have had pressreports of eccentric behaviour at Mass and of the introduction of singing more appropriate to music-halls than to the atmosphere of reverence that should prevail in a church. These reports have come mainly from America, and they refer only to isolated instances.” — Fr. Leslie Rumble of Radio Replies, writing in the early 1970s.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2013

Why No Offertory Antiphon In Roman Missal?

At last! We finally have the answer! . . . Er, sort of . . .

Jeff Ostrowski · May 7, 2013

Irrefutable Proof That Some People Are Jerks

Verbal abuse of a mentally handicapped man was something hard to watch. But why do I mention such a thing on a Blog devoted to Sacred music?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 2, 2013

CMAA President Has His Own “STAR” In Hollywood

Did you know a former president of the Church Music Association of America has his own STAR on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? That’s correct! Just like Michael Jackson, Rex Harrison, Alfred Hitchcock, Harrison Ford, and all the rest.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2013

Solesmes Salicus & Scandicus Vs. Pure Vatican Edition

Does noticing this officially make me a “Chant Geek” ? Or is it the mere fact that I actually care about such things . . .

Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2013

Catholics in the United States Can Kneel Now!

A change has been made in the United States with regard to kneeling for Holy Communion: “the exhortation to catechesis is removed and the exception to the norm of standing is left to the discretion of the faithful.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 24, 2013

Rev. Fr. Christopher Smith on the Campion Missal

“And so, I launched out into the deep and asked for donations. Within 72 hours we had not only covered the cost, but also had more donations than we could possibly use for that project.” — Fr. Smith

Jeff Ostrowski · April 23, 2013

Introducing the Lalemant Propers (391 Pages) — Free Download !

The Lalemant Propers are extremely simple settings (in English) of the Mass Propers which make it possible for any person to sing these sacred prayers . . . even people who have no musical training whatsoever.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 22, 2013

A Tale Of Two Monsignori: Schmitt & Vyverman

Did Msgr. Schmitt malign Msgr. Vyverman of Malines? And did Fr. Schmitt truly forget Gogniat’s name?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 22, 2013

“Episcopalian” Music vs. “Catholic” Music? Wrong question!

Can you hear “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” in this video from an Episcopalian Church taken on Easter Sunday, 2013?

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)
    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. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting in 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simply click here and scroll to the bottom. 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. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —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

“Finally, let us not forget that listening especially is active participation. When we listen to the performances of Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion, we can fully participate actively in the Passion of Christ. And so, if we listen attentively to the singing and organ music during the celebration of the divine services, our participation is not less complete. The real significance of this objective and very important aspect is insufficiently understood.”

— Flor Peeters

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