Views from the Choir Loft

Veronica Brandt • Article Archive

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. As editor, she has produced fine publications (as well as valuable reprints) dealing with Gregorian chant, hymnody, Latin, and other subjects. These publications are distinguished on account of their tastefulness. She lives in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her husband Peter and six children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Veronica Brandt · June 28, 2014

This wonderful Bishop’s letter on the Blessed Sacrament

A pastoral letter from Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP, Bishop of Paramatta.

Veronica Brandt · June 21, 2014

Archbishop Sample’s Letter On Sacred Music (6 of 8)

“Every hour of worship should represent at least two hours of structured preparation at a time and place apart from the congregation.”

Veronica Brandt · June 7, 2014

Teaching kids to Pray the Mass

Inspiration for enkindling a love of the Mass in the next generation from a booklet over 50 years old.

Veronica Brandt · May 31, 2014

A simplified Offertory for Pentecost

Our little choir usually psalm tones the Offertory. Until now.

Veronica Brandt · May 24, 2014

Connection, empowerment and raffle tickets

Is selling raffle tickets a form of almsgiving? Or is it more like begging? Or is it just playing a game?

Veronica Brandt · May 17, 2014

Gregorian Chant in Star Wars

Dies Irae, Day of Wrath, a 13th century hymn that just won’t die.

Veronica Brandt · April 12, 2014

Working on a Compline booklet

A booklet for Compline, 95% finished, ready for Holy Week.

Veronica Brandt · March 29, 2014

Learning the Latin of the Pater Noster

You need to have even just a little bit of understanding to help you love something. You can’t love what you don’t know.

Veronica Brandt · March 15, 2014

Hymnal of St Pius X

Free download, a hymnbook from 1952, the organ edition, simplified Latin propers, English hymns, especially one for St Patrick for Monday!

Veronica Brandt · March 1, 2014

Preparing for Lent

Renewing the adventure of exploring Gregorian chant by making recordings.

Veronica Brandt · February 22, 2014

Color by “Neum”ber

A Gregorian chant workbook for kids (there’s one for adults too).

Veronica Brandt · February 15, 2014

Farewell to Alleluia

Kids singing Gregorian chant with puppets. Don’t worry, it’s a non-liturgical setting.

Veronica Brandt · February 8, 2014

Browsing Illuminated Manuscripts in Switzerland

Thank you internet! Browsing Swiss libraries of medieval manuscripts from home. Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Veronica Brandt · January 25, 2014

Extending a music lesson

Would you like to help people make the connection between the Latin and the English translations?

Veronica Brandt · January 18, 2014

Introducing polyphony in a round about way

Canons are a handy way to introduce singing in harmony. Here are some picks from the Choral Public Domain Library.

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”

Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”

—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

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski