Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2016

Do You Recognize This Hymn Tune?

One man’s hymn sensitivities are another man’s…

Cynthia Ostrowski · September 14, 2016

“Matri Divinæ Gratiæ” • 3-voice Motets (SAB)

Kevin Allen has released a collection every Roman Catholic choir will treasure!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 13, 2016

A Blemish On Hymnody Printing?

The word “Thy” is used in the Lord’s Prayer at every Mass, yet nobody struggles to understand it.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 12, 2016

Greatest Church Music Book Ever Written?

This volume by Paul Hume is supremely addictive!

Fr. David Friel · September 11, 2016

Composition Contest

Submissions Sought by the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2016

Chief Reasons For Mass “Facing The People”

Are you being rude to people sitting in pews behind you?

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2016

A Serious Question About Vatican II

Vatican II spoke of “useless repetitions” in the liturgy, and said these should be examined…

Richard J. Clark · September 9, 2016

Three Things that Inform the Work of Every Parish: Hospitality, Catechesis, Evangelization

These three elements inform most every aspect of our service to God and the faithful.

Andrew Leung · September 8, 2016

Ten Reflections on “Pride of Place”

Giving Gregorian Chant the “pride of place” is more than just singing the Propers.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 6, 2016

Musical Resources • 17th Sunday after Pentecost

“We implore Thy majesty, O Lord, that the holy mysteries we are celebrating may free us of past sins and save us from future sins.”

Dr. Lucas Tappan · September 6, 2016

The Current Heresy

He was right, I spoke an unforgivable heresy—boys and girls are different.

Guest Author · September 5, 2016

Guest Article: “Why That Hymn Doesn’t Work”

Twelve Criteria to Help Explain Yourself

Fr. David Friel · September 4, 2016

Paul McCartney Likes Choir Music

Start your choir year with inspiration from an unlikely source.

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 4, 2016

Impressive Video — “Ad Orientem” Celebration

“Do it gradually, with proper catechesis, to avoid shocking the people.” —Most Rev’d Gracida

Jeff Ostrowski · September 3, 2016

Musical Resources • 16th Sunday after Pentecost

“Let Thy grace, we beseech Thee, O Lord … make us to be continually zealous in doing good works.”

Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major

Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Latin Liturgy Association

We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)

The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams

Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.

—Jeff Ostrowski