Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2017

Musical Resources • Septuagesima Sunday 1

“Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”

Fr. David Friel · February 6, 2017

The Japanese Martyrs

Extraordinary Strength of Faith

Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2017

Pope Benedict XVI on this Sunday’s Introit

“The virgin mother bound his limbs in swaddling clothes; such bands held the hands and feet of God!”

Fr. David Friel · February 5, 2017

God Has No Need of Our Music

A Thought from Saint Irenaeus of Lyons

Jeff Ostrowski · February 5, 2017

“The Return of the SSPX”

Reflections by a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 3, 2017

Did we meet our fundraising goal?

The answer will amaze!

Andrew Leung · February 2, 2017

Invest in your Music Program!

Financial support is necessary for building a successful parish music program.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2017

Photos • Society for Catholic Liturgy Conference

After Mass, a presentation was delivered by the Executive Director of the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 30, 2017

Mind-Blowing SATB Canon

“Laudate Dominum” by William Croft (†1727) is a miracle.

Fr. David Friel · January 30, 2017

In Defense of the Organ Postlude 1

Newly-published reflections from Professor Kwasniewski.

Fr. David Friel · January 29, 2017

Conference Updates

Dunwoodie Chant Conference & Sacra Liturgia Milano

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2017

PDF Download • “Sing the Angelus” (Plainchant)

Can you think of a better way to begin your choir rehearsals?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 24, 2017

Musical Resources • 4th Sunday after Epiphany

“But the men wondered, saying, What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Dr. Lucas Tappan · January 24, 2017

Chorister Pitfalls

A misguided belief states that the quality of our liturgical music should be sacrificed on the altar of good intentions.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2017

More From The New Microphone

This Introit is repeated many times, depending on how many Sundays occur after Epiphany.

“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