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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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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), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2013

What Happened To Chapel Veils At Mass?

“While it is not obligatory for women to wear mantillas, I personally think they’re a beautiful and elegant way to show reverence for Christ.” — Matt Fradd

Jeff Ostrowski · June 18, 2013

(Live Interview) Cardinal Burke on the New Translation

“We had in the Church when I was growing up . . . there was a kind of special language we used in Church, and I was sorry to see it go . . . There wasn’t anything wrong with that. It was a language we used in talking to God.” — Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

Jeff Ostrowski · June 16, 2013

1965 English Mass Demonstration “Sign Of Peace”

“During the boy-scout hand-shake (Sign of Peace), the lady with whom I shook hands accused me of trying to steal her bracelet.” — Msgr. Francis P. Schmitt, writing in 1965

Jeff Ostrowski · June 16, 2013

Nobody Can Answer My Question?

I have an important question, but nobody seems to care. It has to do with the famous: “When it falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated.”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 13, 2013

Does Your Missal Obey Pope Paul VI?

“Gregorian Chant is apt to remain the singing voice of the Church for a good many years to come.” — Fr. Malone, writing in 1962.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 11, 2013

Choir Members’ Behavior In The Year 1596

On 24 December 1596, Nanino records that the singers missed a response of “Amen,” which they were supposed to make after the pope said the Gospel at Matins. But the books were marked so that the same thing would not happen the following year, as it might if they depended only on memory.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 11, 2013

Proud Father With Son & Daughter

Normally, I hate it when blogs become too personal, but I hope our readers will tolerate me sharing two (2) pictures of our children.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 10, 2013

Entering The Danger Zone: Congregational Singing

Are we being honest when we claim that the “entire congregation” can sing a hymn at Mass? I had to search pretty hard, but finally found someone willing to admit the truth.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 10, 2013

Watershed Customer Service

These days, companies treat their customers like animals. I find it disgusting.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 8, 2013

“How Do I Use Gregorio? How Do I Use GABC?”

To prove that anybody can learn to use GABC (Gregorio) in five seconds to create Gregorian chant scores, I created this training video while holding a 6-month-old baby.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 7, 2013

Concerning “Finger Flapping”

Sigh . . What to do when you’re the greatest of the great?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 6, 2013

Splendid! A 2013 Recording By Cistercian Nuns

“I have listened to the CD with great enjoyment. When listening to the Cistercian Nuns of Saint Mary’s Abbey, one realizes that they do not just sing at prayer or sing their prayers: their very singing is prayer, according to the axiom, Those who sing well, pray twice.” — Quote from a listener.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 5, 2013

Fantastic News For The New Translation!

The crucial question was not asked: “Is the New Translation more accurate than the previous one?”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 4, 2013

What Is Currently Happening? Let’s Be Honest.

Why do 99% of Catholic Churches replace 100% of the Mass Propers 99% of the time?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 3, 2013

Free Musical Scores For Catholic Weddings

Nuptial Mass Responsorial Psalms, Gospel Acclamations, Introits, Offertories, simple organ interludes, training videos, PDF scores, and more . . . all for free!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 1, 2013

A Most Magnificent Monogram

Can you find all the letters in this ancient symbol? Every Catholic knows how the Preface begins: “It is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks . . .”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 30, 2013

History, Padre Pio, Pius X, And More

Did you know Padre Pio was drafted into the army? Did you know his father had to come to America to earn money so Padre Pio could be tutored before being accepted to monastic life?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2013

Disney’s “That Darn Cat,” Life Teen Masses, and More

“Music has the capability of evoking a place and a context.” — Dr. William Mahrt of Stanford

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2013

The English And Their Hymns

I have noticed that the “English method” of hymnody prints the musical notes on one page and the words on another. Several experts explain why in this post.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 27, 2013

Failure, The Liturgy, & Today’s Mr. Know-It-All

The priest who rejected my submission was very professional, polite, and encouraging.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The unity of language in the liturgy is so great a treasure for the Church that no advantage could compensate for its demise.”

— Dom Anselmo Albareda (2 January 1953), Father Nicola Giampietro, page 249

Recent Posts

  • “I Decided to Get a Plane Ticket and Fly 8,700 Miles From Singapore to Take Part.”
  • Alabama Assessment!
  • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • Vol. 1
  • “Exceeded Every Expectation!” • Mr. O’Brien’s Review
  • “81 Photos” • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

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