Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Richard J. Clark · October 26, 2016

I Say: “Good for Marty Haugen”

He has been on top of the Roman Catholic world of liturgical music for decades.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 25, 2016

Music for the Year of Mercy

Puccini’s music allows us to glimpse the love of a Father, Who doesn’t merely sit on the 50 yard line waiting to see which side of the eternal line we die on…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2016

“Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.”

Living in Los Angeles—what I miss most.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2016

PDF Download • Rare Hymnal by Organist at the Birmingham Oratory (1913)

Download all 572 pages—thanks to Peter Meggison!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2016

Musical Resources • 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

“Remit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy people…”

Veronica Brandt · October 22, 2016

Compline Online with Chant Notation

A handy online copy of Compline according to the 1962 liturgical books dynamically adapting to the day of the week, feast or feria and looks great on small screen mobile devices.

Richard J. Clark · October 21, 2016

Memorial of Pope Saint John Paul II

Two FREE resources honoring Pope Saint John Paul II

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 20, 2016

Dr. Jennifer Donelson Conducting Seminarians

Kevin Allen’s beautiful “Domine, Non Sum Dignus” has also been sung for Vatican Masses.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2016

Watershed: Established Ten Years Ago Today!

What keeps us going is our wonderful readers, whose kindness and witness inspire us.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 18, 2016

Music and the Formation of Our Youth

“While it is true that children can make beautiful music, it is more important that music can make beautiful children…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 18, 2016

Palestrina • Jaw-Dropping “Kyrie” based on a Hymn

Two generous young ladies, currently in high school, helped me record this gorgeous Kyrie.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2016

“The Organist At Sung Mass” —Fr. Adrian Fortescue

Thoughts on “the hidden struggles” of a choirmaster.

Richard J. Clark · October 14, 2016

The Unhealthy Liturgical Obsession with Self

It is not found in the Roman Rite. It is not there in the scriptures. We are in fact inserting such self-obsession.

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!

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. 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

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” 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

PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)

The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.

—Jeff Ostrowski

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed