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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 · September 10, 2020

PDF Download • 1928 “Invitatory” (86 pages)

The “invitatory” occurs at the beginning of Matins and therefore introduces the daily divine Office.

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 8, 2020

“Homily — 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

“Often, the person who did us harm won’t even know that we’re still stewing over what they did to us; and if they knew, they might even be glad.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 7, 2020

Jeff Ostrowski • “Three Rules For Good Music”

But we have not spoken very much about Baroque music…

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 6, 2020

Important Message To Fathers

“Kids don’t remember this…”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2020

(Installment #6) “Catholic Hymnals” • Jeff Ostrowski

How to avoid that sickening feeling when you realize nobody—and I mean nobody—in the congregation knows the hymn you picked!

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2020

“Homily for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM

“If worry did any good, I would advise you to do it—but it is wasted time and energy.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2020

Sir Richard Terry: Hymns, Congregational Singing, and Avoiding “Violence” to the Elders

Terry was forced to resign from the Cathedral in 1924, partially due to his “inconsistent approach to congregational singing at the Cathedral.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2020

3 September 2020 • Tausig, Liszt’s student

When Polish virtuoso Carl Tausig died in 1871 at the age of thirty, Franz Liszt said to Anton Rubinstein: “Now there are only two of us left in the world.” Liszt had sent Tausig to Richard Wagner, who wrote as follows: You have given me great pleasure with little Tausig. […] He is a terrible […]

Jeff Ostrowski · September 3, 2020

“That Image” from World War II • Further Questions

When I look more closely, I notice some very tiny (“itsy bitsy”) hand missals held by the soldiers…

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 3, 2020

WW2 post at 3:30am = 10k views?

The internet is a very strange thing. I have spent hundreds of hours on certain articles—usually about hymn voice leading—and they get virtually no attention. But last night at 3:30AM I posted an image from WW2 from 9 April 1944 (showing a priest saying Mass with soldiers) and it was viewed 10,000 times on the […]

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2020

Holy Mass During World War II • (9 April 1944)

German troops included in American Easter Sunday Mass via loud-speaker.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 1, 2020

PDF Download • “Communion Antiphon” (with organ accompaniment)

An exciting new project gives me great hope for the “musical future” of the Catholic Church!

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 1, 2020

“Homily — 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

“Examining the life of Jesus, we discover that He acted differently in different circumstances.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2020

“Resplendent Beyond Reckoning” • Sherborne Missal (1399AD)

As the Isaac Jogues Missal would do 650 years later, this Missal provides pictures of the priest during the Canon!

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2020

Video Excerpt • “Fastest Organ Pedals I’ve Ever Seen!”

I’m jealous of anyone who can play the organ pedals so fast!

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    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

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

When we say: “The people like this” we regard them as unable to develop, as animals rather than human beings, and we simply neglect our duties in helping them towards a true human existence — indeed, in this case, to truly Christian existence.

— Professor László Dobszay (2003)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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