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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 · October 6, 2020

“Homily for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM

The word “grace” means a gift given to us by God. Sanctifying grace is first given to us when we are baptized.

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 5, 2020

“O Sacrum Convivium” • Recorded by one person

This piece comes from “Motecta Trium Vocum” by Kevin Allen (for three equal voices).

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2020

3 October 2020 • What Kids Lack

Kids these days will never know the adventure of traveling to a special music library, climbing the steps, locating the correct LP record, and placing it into the record player (which had a needle). In the 1990s, this was the only way one could listen to Hofmann’s live recording of Chopin’s 4th Ballade. I have […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2020

“Spoken vs. Sung Propers” • The Complete History

Lies containing a little truth are the most difficult to quash • Here is the definitive, final exposé on why the “Spoken Propers” don’t match the “Sung Propers.” • In October of 1972, the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy falsely equated the “Spoken Propers” with the “Sung Propers” and proclaimed: “These antiphons are too abrupt for communal recitation” • Several official English translations of the Roman Gradual have received the imprimatur multiple times+

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Jeff Ostrowski · October 1, 2020

Famous Italian Actor Regrets Aborting Son

“It was the mistake of my life. When I was very young, I had the chance to become a father, but I had my son aborted. Now, I’ve become very strongly against abortion.” —Andrea Roncato

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 30, 2020

“Homily for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM

Sin is an offense against God. Therefore, only God can forgive sin.

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 29, 2020

PDF Download • Extremely Rare! — 1966 “Book of Catholic Worship” (809 pages)

Do you recognize where these pages were stolen from in 1966, when they hoped nobody would notice?

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 26, 2020

Communication • Re: Modern Catholic Hymns

Are you familiar with “Thaxted”—a beautiful hymn tune?

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2020

EWTN Features Catholic Choirmaster & Composer

Brian J. Nelson is director of Sacred Music at the Saint Lawrence Catholic Campus Center.

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2020

22 September 2020 • “Tears of Joy”

A reader wrote to us: “Thank you for the sample verses of Hymn #869 (Solemn Hymn to the Son of God). I found this music posted to YouTube this morning, and I’ve lost count at of the number of times I’ve replayed it and—no exaggeration!—it makes me tear up each time. This lovely hymn makes […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2020

“Homily for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM

“I never really understand this psalm until I entered the Franciscan Novitiate in 1942…”

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 20, 2020

Myth Re: Johann Sebastian Bach

Some musicologists try to make a “splash” by saying that Bach was totally forgotten when he died—remembered only as an organ virtuoso—and that his sons were more famous than he was. Such an idea is indefensible. It is true that musical styles changed in 1750AD—but this is normal. Musical styles change constantly; e.g. much of […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 18, 2020

Arthur Friedheim, Franz Liszt’s Secretary

Arthur Friedheim (d. 1932) has a very poor reputation as a pianist, and Liszt rejected him several times before finally accepting him as a pupil, yet the Liszt recordings he left are quite good—especially considering the transgressions by other Liszt pupils. Friedheim must have been an amazing musician; twice he was asked to become conductor […]

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2020

More on the Mystery Book

Examples: Non Abluunt Lymphae Deum, Rebus Creatis Nil Egens, Salve Caput Cruentatum, Sancti Venite, Victis Sibi Cognomina, Hoste Dum Victo Triumphans, and Jam Desinant Suspiria.

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2020

Homily — “Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

During World War II, Catholic churches were filled on Friday evenings for the Sorrowful Mother Novena and Benediction.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music List • “Corpus Christi” (Year A)

    The 28-page Singers’ Booklet is included. Our children’s choir will join us for this Mass.

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    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Rubric Challenge”
    The feast of Corpus Christi is special for TLM altar boys. On that day, two of us thurifers got to walk backwards while using the THURIBLE. (That American custom, if memory serves, is not strictly described in the rubrics.) A few weeks ago on the CCW Facebook Page we posted this screenshot from a 1915 Roman Catholic hymnal. The challenge is to guess what the rubric says, which we blocked from view with a red box. So far, nobody has guessed correctly. Feel free to guess! Our email address is listed at the bottom of each page. UPDATE: The answer has been revealed as of 8 June 2026.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • “Trinity Sunday” (Year A)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Trinity Sunday—a.k.a. “Dominica I post Pentecosten”—which is 31 May 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if that appeals to you. The hymns chosen are fairly traditional, but truly excellent (the Communion hymn especially stands out). The ENTRANCE CHANT radiates pure bliss, overflowing with joy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of June (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). Since we were founded in 2006, not one of our board members has ever accepted any remuneration whatsoever—not a penny. 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. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”
    Few musicians realize that various English translations of Sacred Scripture were granted formal approval by the USCCB and the Vatican for liturgical use in the United States of America. But don’t take my word for it! Here are four documents proving this, which you can examine with your own eyes. Some believe the words “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee” were forbidden after Vatican II—but that’s incorrect. For example, they’re found in the English translation of the ‘Our Father’ at Mass. Moreover, the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) mentioned in those four documents employs “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee.” It was published with a FOREWORD by Westminster’s Roman Catholic Archbishop (John Cardinal Heenan).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)
    I published an article on 11 November 2023 called Wedding March For The Lazy Organist, which rather offhandedly made reference to a simplified version I created in 2007 for Pachelbel’s Canon. I often use it as a PROCESSIONAL for weddings and quinceañeras. Many organists say they “hate” Pachelbel’s Canon. But I love it. I think it’s bright and beautiful. I created that ‘simplified version’ for musicians coming to grips with playing the pipe organ. It can be downloaded as a free PDF if you visit Andrea Leal’s article dated 15 August 2022: Manuals Only: Organ Interludes Based on Plainsong. Specifically, it is page 84 in that collection—generously offered as a free PDF download. Johann Pachelbel (d. 1706) was a renowned German organist, violinist, teacher, and composer of over 500 works. A friend of Bach’s family, he taught Johann Christoph Bach (Sebastian Bach’s eldest brother) and lived in his house. Those who read Pachelbel’s biography will notice his connection to two German cities adopted as famous hymn tune names: EISENACH and ERFURT.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

But the revisers did not leave them altogether untouched. Saint Ambrose had to be “corrected.” The ‘Iste Confessor’ was greatly altered and the hymn for the Dedication of a Church (which no one ought to have touched) was completely recast in a new meter.

— Father Joseph Connelly

Recent Posts

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  • PDF Download • 35 musical scores for “Lauda Sion Salvatorem” • (Corpus Christi Sequence)
  • Rare! Rare! Rare! • “Australian Hymnal” (Roman Catholic) from 1942 • By Father Percy Jones

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