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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

Patrick Torsell • Article Archive

Patrick Torsell is the Director of Music and Organist at Mater Dei Latin Mass Community in Harrisburg, PA, an apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. He began playing the organ at age 8, and has held organist and choirmaster positions across the nation.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Patrick Torsell · June 2, 2023

“Colorado Sacred Music Conference” August 9-10 (2023) • Highlands Ranch, CO

The Mass celebrants include Bishop James Golka of Colorado Springs!

Patrick Torsell · August 26, 2020

(Installment #1) “Catholic Hymnals” • Patrick Torsell

Five tips for rousing, inspiring hymn playing!

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Patrick Torsell · April 2, 2020

Repeating Repertoire? • Patrick Torsell

The Church’s patrimony of sacred music is so rich, so replete with material for most any occasion, that it seems on the surface we ought not need to repeat. But there are good reasons to repeat repertoire tastefully.

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Patrick Torsell · March 29, 2020

8 Tips • “Improving Live Stream Audio Quality”

Many churches have turned to live streaming during these difficult times. But getting the audio quality right is challenging. Here are some tips!

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Patrick Torsell · February 10, 2020

Youth Choristers – Formation Beyond Singing

If we want young people to help restore and promote sacred music, we must get beyond the “what” and the “how” and dig in to the “why.”

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Patrick Torsell · January 25, 2020

The Organ Postlude: Distraction, or Powerful Aid to Devotion?

The organ postlude is a powerful way to cultivate dispositions of rejoicing, thanksgiving, and awe before the greatness of God at the conclusion of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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Patrick Torsell · January 14, 2020

Youth Choristers: Get Them While They’re Young

Here’s how our parish is working to fill the ears, hearts, and minds of the youth with truly sacred music from a young age.

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Patrick Torsell · January 14, 2020

Biography • Patrick Torsell

Patrick Torsell began playing the organ at age 8, and has held organist and choirmaster positions across the nation…

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
    On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders”—is that English idiom? “For the Nazis, and all the Germans, except they say Heil Hitler! meet not in the street, holding their lives valuable”—is that English idiom?

— Monsignor Ronald Knox

Recent Posts

  • “O Antiphons” Elevated?
  • PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
  • Should Catholics Sing Protestant Christmas Carols?
  • PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
  • What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

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