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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 · December 6, 2025

Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

Simplified keyboard accompaniment for “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (Advent hymn).

Jeff Ostrowski · December 4, 2025

PDF • “Music List” (Immaculate Concep.)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the music list I prepared for 8 December (“In Conceptione Immaculata Beatae Mariae Virginis”).

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2025

“Reminder” — Month of December (2025)

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

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2025

PDF Download • Agnus Dei Polyphonic “Choral Extension” (Simple Round by Ravenscroft)

It’s hard to banish that round once it enters your ears!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2025

Dr. Mahrt explains the ‘Spoken’ Propers

This image is found on the first page of a 1974 Sacramentary.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2025

PDF • “Music List” (1st Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2025

Kid’s Repertoire • “Jeffrey’s 3 Recommendations”

Growing up, I remember hearing this adage…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2025

A Quote Worth Reading

From a mother of 11 children whose brother-in-law is a Catholic priest.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2025

PDF Download • ‘Choral Extension’ for the Sanctus (especially useful in the Ordinary Form)

It’d be easier to accept if they admitted they were explicitly contradicting Vatican II … but instead, they lied egregiously.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 18, 2025

PDF Download • “Hymn for Christ the King”

“Catholic parishes are slow to change their habits. They still sing what the oldest members learned at school.” —Evelyn Waugh

Jeff Ostrowski · November 17, 2025

“Music List” • Christ the King Sunday

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2025

PDF Download • “Pope Pius XII Psalter” — English, Latin, and Commentary (532 pages)

I know of no greater commentary on the psalms. Its author—an erudite Dominican priest—founded the famous “Homiletic and Pastoral Review.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 15, 2025

“Simplified” Keyboard Accompaniment (PDF)

A simplified keyboard accompaniment for the “O Jesus Christ, Remember” hymn.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2025

‘Bogey’ of the Half-Educated: Paraphrase

This is something Monsignor Ronald Knox had to explain time and again…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2025

Father Cuthbert Lattey • “The Hebrew MSS”

“the ancient Christian versions (and some other ancient sources) seem to have been based upon a better Hebrew text…”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Palm Sunday—a.k.a. “Dominica in palmis de Passione Domini”—which is 29 March 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The OFFERTORY (Impropérium exspectávit cor meum) is quite moving. Even though the COMMUNION ANTIPHON is relatively simple, the Fauxbourdon makes it sound outstanding.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?
    He who examines Laudes Dei: a hymnal for Catholic congregations (St. Louis, 1894) will discover this pairing of a hymn for Easter. For the record, this isn’t the only Catholic hymn book to marry that text and melody; e.g. Saint Mark’s Hymnal for Use in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States (Peoria, 1910) does the same thing. Sometimes an unexpected pairing—chosen with sensitivity—can be superb, forcing singers to experience the text in a ‘fresh’ and wonderful way. On the other hand, we sometimes encounter something I’ve called “PERNICIOUS HYMN PAIRINGS.” If you find the subject in intriguing, feel free to peruse an article I published in May of 2023. As always, my email inbox is open if you have a bone to pick with my take.
    —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

“Even after 1600 A.D.—despite major changes in musical taste—the compositions of Father Cristóbal de Morales were reprinted at Venice. Indeed, and as late as 1619 A.D. one Venetian publisher found his magnificats still in sufficient demand to make a profitable commercial venture out of issuing a new transcribed version for equal voices.”

— Dr. Robert Murrell Stevenson (d. 2012)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)
  • Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?
  • “Priest Saying Mass” • Medieval Illumination

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