Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · December 13, 2017

PDF Download • “Rorate Mass” (13 pages) —Dec 2017

“Let us not be cast into the darkness to burn in flames, but may we share the joy of heaven, seeing the face of God.”

Guest Author · December 12, 2017

Latin Mass Youth Choir…in Las Vegas!

“I am a firm believer that anyone can learn to sing, even tiny children.” —Andrea Leal

Jeff Ostrowski · December 11, 2017

Advent Piece for 2 Voices

Multi-Track recording created by a high school sophomore.

Fr. David Friel · December 10, 2017

Knowledge of the Infant Lord

Sheer Grace

Veronica Brandt · December 9, 2017

Online Advent Calendars 2017

What do you use to countdown to Christmas?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 8, 2017

PDF Download • Immac. Conception Booklet

“He whom the whole world cannot contain was enclosed in thy womb…”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 7, 2017

“Creator Alme Siderum” (Guerrero)

The famous plainsong tune can be played on a Woofer Guitar.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 6, 2017

Holy Purity & Anger

Our seminarians and priests taught us about “captivity of the eyes.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 6, 2017

Quickest Psalm Tone Ever Created

A nicely done Psalm Tone is preferred to a poorly sung authentic version.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 5, 2017

Rorate Caeli • “Very Ancient Catholic Song”

This Catholic hymnal was written by a priest named “Police.” (not kidding)

Jeff Ostrowski · December 3, 2017

2nd Sunday of Advent (2nd of December)

Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What went you out into the desert to see?”

Veronica Brandt · December 2, 2017

Tantum Ergo Comically Misunderstood in Italian

Tantum Ergo or Canta Merlo? A bit of fun with Italian and Latin.

Richard J. Clark · December 1, 2017

I’ve made this an essential part of concert preparation.

I’m embarrassed to say, I feel I have only discovered this necessity recently.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2017

360º Footage of Vespers • How cool is this?

Fr. Valentine used to say: “If you don’t blow your own horn, nobody else is going to blow it for you.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2017

Msgr. Knox • “Ten Commandments” for Crime Stories

Knox was a founding member of the “Detection Club,” which included Agatha Christie and G. K. Chesterton.

Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.

—Jeff Ostrowski