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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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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), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · April 11, 2022

PDF Download • SATB “Refrain” for Good Friday

Is it “traditional” to receive Holy Communion on Good Friday?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2022

PDF Download • “Palm Sunday Hymn”

During the procession on Palm Sunday, the 1962 rubrics allow alius cantus in honorem Christi Regis—“a hymn or song in honor of Christ the King.” A simple yet beautiful Gregorian hymn you might consider is Te Sæculorum Principem, which was composed for the feast of Christ the King by Father Vittorio Genovesi (d. 1967). The […]

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2022

“Schizophrenia” • Pius XII Annihilated Tenebræ

I know of no author who has attempted to reconcile, explain, or justify the (obviously contradictory) “schizophrenia flaw.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2022

“Victimæ Paschali Laudes” • Nineteen (19) Organ Accompaniments

Including a remarkable musical setting by Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923).

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2022

Free Organ Accompaniment • “Vexilla Regis”

During Passiontide, the hymn at Vespers is the mighty Vexilla Regis Prodeunt of Bishop Venantius Fortunatus. In 2015, I composed an organ accompaniment for this hymn with each verse written out. This comes in pretty handy on occasions when the organist must “lead the hymn from the organ bench.” Please feel free to download my […]

Jeff Ostrowski · April 2, 2022

“Hymn To Saint Joseph” • (Rec. 4/2/2022)

Certainly the only “Eucharistic” hymn to Saint Joseph I know!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2022

Gregorian Chant • “Its True & Authentic Rhythm”

For this coming Sunday (Passion Sunday), there’s only one “MMV” singers must observe—and I placed a little arrow above it.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2022

Cardinal Schönborn Consecrates “IKEA Altar”

When Father Fortescue was diagnosed with cancer, he was seen to kiss devoutly the Altar on which he had so frequently celebrated Mass before going to the hospital to die.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2022

PDF Download • “Missa Philomena” (Philippe Verdelot) — Part 1 has been added.

We already released Part 2; today we release Part 1.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2022

“Extraordinary Form” • Is This Name Still Allowed?

Fulton J. Sheen reminded us: “Many a pontiff goes through life without making a single infallible decision … not one.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 20, 2022

“Ah, Holy Jesus” • Lent + Passiontide Hymn

Mr. Currie complained about hymn lyrics that “unduly emphasize the human nature of the Savior.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 20, 2022

Names Have Been Revealed!

The clinicians for Sacred Music Symposium 2022 have been officially released! You can see them by downloading this PDF file. Please help us spread the word. Thank you!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2022

“Three Hymns for Lent” • (Rec. 03/10/2022)

Sometimes what goes without saying must be said.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2022

“To Hear Before You Die” • Essential Listening Guide

Today Dr. Calabrese talks about James MacMillan’s “Seven Last Words From The Cross.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2022

PDF Download • “Audi Benigne Conditor” (Organ Accompaniment)

Finding the “perfect” accompaniment for hymns can be challenging. Here’s my attempt.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2022

“Church Music” • Opportunity of a Lifetime!

We’ve streamlined our application process; register online today!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2022

PDF • “Hymn Suggestions For Each Sunday”

The conscientious choirmaster takes people where they are and then—carefully and prudently—leads them to something higher.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 8, 2022

Surprise! • Bas PDF from Paris

A generous person in Paris sent us the 1921 organ accompaniment to the Requiem Mass (“Missa Pro Defunctis”) harmonized by Julius Bas, who was associated with the Abbey of Solesmes. You can download the entire PDF file for free at the Lalande Library. I must say, what Bas does with Dies Irae sequence is fascinatingly […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 8, 2022

“Like None Other!” • New Three-Voice Collection

I could not function as a choirmaster without this collection.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 5, 2022

“Communion Hymn For Lent” • (Rec. 3/4/2022)

I believe many choir members will stop coming back if the music is always the same.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“So, as in delirium a man talks in a long-forgotten tongue, now—when her heart is rent—the Catholic Church drops twenty centuries without an effort, and speaks as she spoke underground in Rome, and in Paul’s hired house, and in Crete and Alexandria and Jerusalem.”

— A non-Catholic describing the “Hagios O Theos” of Good Friday in 1906

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “A Canon Choirs Love!”
  • On Mistakes (Part I of II)
  • 19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”
  • “Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”
  • PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)

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