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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 · August 8, 2021

8 August 2021 • “More on the Moræ”

If you look at the 1961 Solesmes Gradual for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, you will see that somebody in the 1960s was trying to figure out the “melismatic moræ vocis” (a.k.a. “Vaticana white notes”) which we have spoken of so frequently on this blog.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 7, 2021

Hymn For The Transfiguration (6 August) • “Recorded During Choir Rehearsal”

An English translation by Robert Campbell of Skerrington (d. 1868), who was a convert to the Catholic Faith.

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 6, 2021

PDF Download • Alleluia (SATB) by Morales for “Ordinary Form” + “Extraordinary Form”

This piece works well in the “OF” (Ordinary Form) and also the “EF” (Extraordinary Form).

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 5, 2021

“Talking To Dead Composers” • Part 2

Including a live recording (without organ) of “Alleluia, Sing To Jesus” by a volunteer choir.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 4, 2021

It Finally Happened.

Father Valentine used to say: “The cemeteries are full of people who thought they were indispensable.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 2, 2021

“What is Vespers?” • Live Rec. + 100% Scrolling Score

After more than a year of Vespers having been forbidden (due to Covid-19) we’re back!

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 1, 2021

“Homily: 10th Sunday after Pentecost” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM

Unfortunately, this virtue often seems to be lacking in people who have high positions of authority.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 31, 2021

(29 Pages) • Free Organ Accompaniment Book — Draft copy

The following is what I will use to accompany the congregation tomorrow.

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Jeff Ostrowski · July 31, 2021

PDF Download • Vespers Booklet for This Sunday (draft)

Starting pitches are included!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 28, 2021

SATB Hymns • “Consors Paterni Luminis” (Translated to English)

Brave choir director posts *live* recording by a volunteer choir!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 28, 2021

Father Adrian Fortescue on the “Agnus Dei”

Speaking about the AGNUS DEI, Father Fortescue wrote: “Agnus as a vocative is curious, evidently in order to reproduce the original text (John 1:29) exactly.” [Altera die vidit Joannes Jesum venientem ad se, et ait: Ecce agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccatum mundi.] Father Fortescue, as usual, is correct; but in some medieval manuscripts you […]

Jeff Ostrowski · July 26, 2021

“Shocking!” • What Vatican II said about Latin

Will the true defenders of Vatican II please stand up?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 25, 2021

List • Responses by each bishop!

This incredible website gives each bishop’s response to the recent MOTU PROPRIO Traditionis Custodes, a decree by Pope Francis which seeks to reduce the number of celebrations of the “Extraordinary Form” (Traditional Latin Mass): traditioniscustodes.info

Jeff Ostrowski · July 25, 2021

Tomorrow is Sunday…

When you were in school, you would have gotten in trouble if you wrote the Roman Numeral “9” as viiii. You were supposed to write: IX. But look how an ancient manuscript writes “9” as a Roman Numeral. That’s the Introit Ecce Deus for tomorrow’s feast in the Extraordinary Form: The 9th Sunday after Pentecost.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 24, 2021

24 July 2021 • “Two Teams”

Anyone familiar with the so-called “Traditionalist Catholic” movement knows that (like every other group) it contains some bad apples. Anyone can self-identify as a “Traditionalist Catholic”—even those who are mentally ill, those who beat their wives, and even folks who are emotionally disturbed. All of us know TLM Catholics who are so arrogant they make […]

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
    Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)
    I believe 99% of our readers will recognize this hymn tune. Perhaps Father Edgard De Laet should have called it a ‘hymn’ instead of a ‘motet for three voices’—but he’s technically correct, since MOTET is defined as: “a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic and unaccompanied.” The even verses are for three voices, as you will see if you download the PDF score at #20245. The odd verses may be song a cappella SATB or unison with organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Hymn for 2 Voices”
    Readers who click on this video will see that it starts with verses of the “Pange Lingua” hymn by Saint Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274) arranged for two voices. However, there’s a polyphonic refrain (“Tantum Ergo”) for three voices, taken from Kevin Allen’s Motecta Trium Vocum. If your choir is very small, this piece is for you! You can download the PDF score free of charge—and you can also utilize the rehearsal videos for each individual voice—by navigating yourself to #20323.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of January (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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“It would be a grave error to imagine that the principle orientation of the sacrificial action is towards the community. If the priest celebrates «VERSUS POPULUM», which is legitimate and often advisable, his spiritual attitude ought always to be «VERSUS DEUM PER JESUM CHRISTUM», as representative of the entire Church.”

— Official Vatican Statement (25 September 2000)

Recent Posts

  • Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
  • PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
  • PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)
  • PDF Download • “Hymn for 2 Voices”
  • (January 2026) • “Children Singing Plainsong”

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