Views from the Choir Loft

Julie Huebner • Article Archive

Julie Huebner earned musical degrees at Luther College (Bachelor) and Southern Illinois University (Masters). She currently serves as Director of Music and Liturgy at Saint Mary’s Visitation Parish in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. With her husband and three children, she resides in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Julie Huebner · September 27, 2025

Unison • “Deceptively Easy, Relentlessly Unforgiving”

“That’s not just music. That’s Catholicism at its most apostolic, most bold, and most timeless.” —Julie Huebner

Julie Huebner · July 18, 2025

PDF Download • “Catholic Texts Transcend”

I first learned a now-favorite Catholic text surrounded by Lutherans.

Julie Huebner · June 9, 2025

PDF Download • “Text by Saint Francis of Assisi” (choral setting w/ organ: Soprano & Alto)

“I am near to end of my first year as a full-time choirmaster.” — Julie Huebner

Julie Huebner · January 19, 2025

PDF Download • “Small Choirs, Unite!” (2nd Part)

This is definitely a piece worth bringing out for choirs of all sizes!

Julie Huebner · January 13, 2025

PDF Download • “Small Choirs Unite!”

We have a wide range of expertise: from experienced choristers (some with music degrees) to a gentleman who’d never sung in a choir in his life before joining.

Julie Huebner · December 10, 2024

35 Children Chanting “Sálve Regína” From Memory

“This particular article talked about the Catholic Church in Milwaukee…” —Julie Huebner

Julie Huebner · January 10, 2013

Biography • Julie Huebner

Before her official work with the Church began, she pursued a career on the operatic and musical theater stage in Milwaukee and Chicago…

“Music List” • Christ the King Sunday

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 23 November 2025, which is the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. In the 1970 Missal, this Sunday is known as: Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Universorum Regis (“Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”). As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the magnificent feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Simplified” Keyboard Accompaniment (PDF)

I’d much rather hear an organist play a simplified version correctly than listen to wrong notes. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment for hymn #729 in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal. The hymn is “O Jesus Christ, Remember.” I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 1,900 times in a matter of hours—so there seems to be interest in such a project. For the record, this famous text is often married to AURELIA, as it is in the Brébeuf Hymnal. The lyrics come from the pen of Father Edward Caswall (d. 1878), an Oratorian priest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Bogey’ of the Half-Educated: Paraphrase

Father Adrian Porter, using the cracher dans la soupe example, did a praiseworthy job explaining the difference between ‘dynamic’ and ‘formal’ translation. This is something Monsignor Ronald Knox explained time and again—yet even now certain parties feign ignorance. I suppose there will always be people who pretend the only ‘valid’ translation of Mitigásti omnem iram tuam; avertísti ab ira indignatiónis tuæ… would be “You mitigated all ire of you; you have averted from your indignation’s ire.” Those who would defend such a translation suffer from an unfortunate malady. One of my professors called it “cognate on the brain.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of November (2025)

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). 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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski