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 · February 10, 2025

The New Lectionary & “Voice of God” Hymns

The sale of indulgenced prayers is immoral. Someday they’ll have to make restitution for this.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2025

“Music List” • 5th Sunday (Ord. Time)

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

Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2025

PDF Download • “Communion Refrain” (Polyphony) for Three Voices — with Psalm 117

This injunction from Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is crucial for artists.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 5, 2025

PDF Download • “Psalm Comparison Chart”

This PDF chart will be of interest to Catholic musicians!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 4, 2025

PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

I would argue we must renew our good resolution and stand firm.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 3, 2025

Jesuit Recruitment Video (1950s)

It’s difficult to understand why some modern-day Jesuits have not been reprimanded by their superiors.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 3, 2025

Richard Nixon • “Federal Aid for Parochial Schools”

Colson claims Nixon signed an ‘executive order’ giving federal money to Roman Catholic schools.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 2, 2025

“Music List” • Presentation (2 February)

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

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • Presentation (2 Febr.)

This English adaptation imitates the authentic Gregorian Chant version in a splendid way.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2025

Can Marian Hymns Be Sung During the Offertory?

My colleague, Corrinne May, has published an article for the “Totus Tuus” apostolate.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2025

The Mystery Has Been Solved

For more than twenty years, I’ve been searching for…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2025

PDF Download • Intensely Rare 1898 “Roman Gradual” — (Released for the First Time in History)

I carefully scanned all 642 pages in (color) high resolution.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2025

2 February • “Communion”

I would say: “Somewhat dark, yet beautiful”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 30, 2025

Thoughts on the “English” Method of Hymn-Printing

Protestants sometimes say: “One must never omit verses of a hymn, because hymns tell a story.”

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)

With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Luis Martínez Must Go!

Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed