Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · October 14, 2016

Complete Palestrina Edition • Now Online!

His Mass settings alone require 2,349 pages!

Andrew Leung · October 13, 2016

The New Feature on the Organ of King’s College

Check out this newest feature on the restored organ in the Chapel of King’s College!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 11, 2016

Wonderful Things are Happening in Detroit!

Even more exciting were two developments I learned of while in Detroit.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2016

Choirmaster’s Life: “A Life of Sacrifice”

Due to human nature, I believe most of us won’t reach our potential—unless we’re forced to do so!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 7, 2016

Musical Resources • 21st Sunday after Pentecost

“All things are in Thy will, O Lord, and there is none that can resist Thy will…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 7, 2016

I Got Caught!

I hardly ever watch internet videos, but this one I could not resist.

Richard J. Clark · October 7, 2016

Vocation Directors Immersed in Chant—Immersed in Prayer

This isn’t about chant. This isn’t about a style of music. It is about the urgency we face with vocations.

Andrew Leung · October 6, 2016

St. Francis and Sacred Music

St. Francis of Assisi is not a “liturgical hippie.” He is a lover of the Roman liturgy and might have sung polyphony…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2016

What Should A Church Look Like?

I have no idea which cathedral this is, but architects should take note!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2016

Cardinal Sarah’s Missing Paragraph…

This article includes live recordings from a conference (“Society for Catholic Liturgy”) in Los Angeles.

Fr. David Friel · October 2, 2016

New Collection of Propers from GIA

The growing market for Mass propers is a sign of promise.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 29, 2016

Why Did Vatican II Happen?

These might not constitute the most perfect way to assist at Mass, but they’re very nice (German) hymn tunes!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 28, 2016

Twenty Minutes That Changed My Life Forever

I might be able to memorize that Chopin etude, but there’s no way I could memorize that 5-voice Bach fugue today.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2016

Where do you obtain your Psalms?

Download these Breviary files and keep them as our little secret!

Fr. David Friel · September 25, 2016

Turning Off the Air Conditioning

Taking Advantage of the Natural Beauty that Surrounds Us

“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