Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 3, 2019

“First Images” • Sacred Music Symposium 2019

…including a live recording of the Kyrie by Palestrina!

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 2, 2019

“Keynote Address” • Sacred Music Symposium 2019

By Fr. James Fryar, FSSP—recorded live.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · July 1, 2019

St. Paul’s Choir School Appoints New Director of Music

James Kennerley’s “rehearsal with the men and boys was brilliant as is his organ playing.”

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 25, 2019

In Search of the Deeper Meaning

I have heard it said that magic shows up at every concert but usually goes home disappointed.

Veronica Moreno · June 21, 2019

When “Textbooks” Don’t Cut It

This routine has taken years to establish.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2019

Symposium Booklets Have Arrived!

Anyone can write articles saying: “Church music must improve”—but actually getting one’s hands dirty? That’s different…

Dr. Lucas Tappan · June 18, 2019

Fr. Finn and the Catholic Choral Tradition in America

Nevertheless, we have had, and quite frankly still have, a number of fine choirs, conductors and organists that I would place on par and even above our European brethren.

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 17, 2019

Professional Photographs • Saint Isaac Jogues Missal

This pew Lectionary & Missal is changing the way Catholics experience the Ordinary Form.

Fr. David Friel · June 16, 2019

Solemn Novena for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

This year’s preacher will be Fr. James Gordon, F.S.S.P.

Veronica Moreno · June 14, 2019

Homeschooling (And Sacred Music) Snuck Up On Us

In this way, we keep the faith alive at the kitchen table and at the altar.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 12, 2019

PDF Download • Symposium Booklet (159 pages)

…probably unlike any musical booklet you’ve come across!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 11, 2019

Secrets Revealed

…perhaps more slowly than one would prefer, but finally the secret is beginning to leak!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 10, 2019

PDF Download • Vespers Organ Accompaniments

Do you understand why some of the harmonies are blank?

Fr. David Friel · June 9, 2019

The Magnificat Institute of Sacred Music

A new undertaking of composer Paul Jernberg

Veronica Brandt · June 8, 2019

Shortcuts with GrandOrgue

Setting up keyboard shortcuts to setting the stops on a virtual pipe organ using the free software GrandOrgue.

Dr. Mahrt explains the ‘Spoken’ Propers

In 1970, the Church promulgated a new version of the Roman Missal. It goes by various names: Ordinary Form, Novus Ordo, MISSALE RECENS, and so on. If you examine the very first page, you’ll notice that Pope Saint Paul VI explains the meaning of the ‘Spoken Propers’ (which are for Masses without singing). A quote by Dr. William P. Mahrt is also included in that file. The SPOKEN PROPERS—used at Masses without music—are sometimes called The Adalbert Propers, because they were created in 1969 by Father Adalbert Franquesa Garrós, one of Hannibal Bugnini’s closest friends (according to Yves Chiron).

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (1st Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 30 November 2025, which is the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is quite memorable, 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

“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

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

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