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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 · April 17, 2023

“I Came From Somewhere” • (So Did You!)

Including a haunting hymn by Flor Peeters for Eastertide.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 14, 2023

“Quasi Modo” • Introit for this coming Sunday.

I’m desperately in need of this book!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 12, 2023

“Regína Caéli Laetáre” • 18 organ accompaniments

Plainsong sung poorly—in a sluggish, lifeless manner—can leave a bad taste in people’s mouths.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 11, 2023

“Repugnant Pairing” (In My View)

We have spoken many times about the common tunes contained in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal. I have suggested that these “shared melodies” are crucial for any director attempting to build a serious choral program in today’s environment. However, I’ve also said hymn pairings must be done with great sensitivity. Take a look at […]

Jeff Ostrowski · April 11, 2023

“Truly Bizarre!” • Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday?

Rather than allow the traditional times, the Vatican gave permission to allow the Easter Vigil to be celebrated on the morning of Easter Sunday!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2023

Good Friday Hymn • From “Lyra Catholica”

Could 1% of Catholics? Or even fewer than that?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2023

Help! • Seeking “Machine Gun” Singing Technique

It was without question the wildest thing I ever heard.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2023

Three (3) Cheerful Items • “Sacred Music Revolution”

Dallas, Singapore, Los Angeles…there’s so much good in the world!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 29, 2023

“Seventy-Three (73) Changes” • Which Pope Pius XII Made to Holy Week

If we feel compelled to condemn these changes, let’s at least spend time learning what they are!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 28, 2023

Three (3) Tricks Every Choir Director Should Learn

Conscientious choirmasters know it’s crucial to get “as much bang for your buck” as possible.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2023

Question: “How Do You Read The Official Edition?”

A reader asks: “No Dotted Neumes?”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2023

PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment Booklet” (Passion Sunday Vespers) — 24 pages

Fulton J. Sheen considered Monsignor Knox’s English translation of the Bible to be the greatest ever created.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 23, 2023

Four (4) Shimmery Hymns for Lent & Passiontide

“In nothing are English Catholics so poor as in vernacular hymns. The real badness of most of our popular hymns (endeared, unfortunately, to the people by association) surpasses anything that could otherwise be imagined.” —Father Fortescue

Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2023

“Go!” • The Word That Changed My Life Forever

As Americans, we’re “bred from birth” to think of ourselves as little gods who already know everything and require no correction.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2023

Vespers Booklet (4th Sunday of Lent)

The organ accompaniment booklet (24 pages) which I created for the 4th Sunday of Lent (“Lætare Sunday”) may now be downloaded, for those who desire such a thing.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
    The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with 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
    Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
    On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Perhaps he had too much sense of humour to be altogether a great man: he lacked pomposity.”

— Msgr. Ronald Knox writing about Father Adrian Fortescue

Recent Posts

  • Should Catholics Sing Protestant Christmas Carols?
  • PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
  • What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
  • “He never had a single day of conflict with anyone.”
  • PDF • “Standard Gregorian Chants for Schools, Churches, Seminaries, & Convents” (1946) —123 pages

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