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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 · January 14, 2026

PDF Download • Introit (2nd Sn. Ord.)

This mode is ‘serious’ or ‘dark’ or ‘haunting’—but gorgeous.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 13, 2026

PDF • “Dr. Adrian Fortescue: Priest & Musician”

“No one was ever (outwardly) less priestly; no one was ever (inwardly) more thoroughly a priest.” —Edith Cowell

Jeff Ostrowski · January 12, 2026

PDF Download • “Outrageously Rare” Feder Missal (Latin, French, & English) — 3,290 pages!

A gift to our readers, presented in super-high resolution.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2026

Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

(2 of 50) “Conscience”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2026

Comm. Fauxbourdon • “What does it sound like?”

Remember the days you prayed for what you have now!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2026

“Ad Te Levavi” • Variant

This particular variant hints at “tone painting.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2026

Spectacular Communion Setting!

Both text & melody are quite beautiful.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2026

Bach’s Psychotically Awesome Walking Bassline

Thirty-six (36) pedal notes without interruption!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2026

Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

(1 of 50) “Philosophy of Life”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2026

“Reminder” — Month of January (2026)

Since a new month has arrived, it’s my pleasure to remind you that…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2026

Hymn Translation • “Was Dr. John Mason Neale the Greatest of All Time?”

I received permission to reveal publicly this “comparison chart” of hymn translations.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2026

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 11 January)

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2026

August 1970 • “Graduale Simplex Doc” (12 pages)

Similar to polyester vestments & wreckovations, its sad legacy is bound up with everything regrettable about the 1960s liturgical reforms.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 4, 2026

Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”

This can be sung by one woman and one man.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2026

How Does The Vatican “Rhythm” Actually Sound?

With an excerpt from the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

For the most part, a “good pope” is defined as someone who does what the critic would do if he were pope.

— William F. Buckley Jr. (6 September 1978)

Recent Posts

  • Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)
  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

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