Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 23, 2016

A New Choral Year Off to the Races

If you aren’t used to working with children, it can be a bit daunting on your first day…

Fr. David Friel · August 21, 2016

Essence, Form, Experience

Fourth Annual Art of the Beautiful Lecture Series

Richard J. Clark · August 19, 2016

New Resource from the Archdiocese of Boston for First Communion and Confirmation

The most important element of this document is not the list of hymns and chants, but the vital coupling of faith formation and sacred music.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 18, 2016

“Polyphony For Dummies”

A new video presentation with excellent audio samples.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 16, 2016

Breathtaking Images from Poland

A liturgical workshop took place in Licheń, Poland from 4-11 August 2016.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 16, 2016

Strive for Excellence

Let’s face facts—the English cathedral system of forming church musicians works.

Cynthia Ostrowski · August 15, 2016

Catholic Bulletin Art • Installment #71

If you’re confused about what’s happening, search google for “Dormition of Mary.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 15, 2016

Hymn for St. Thomas More & St. John Fisher

Fascinating verses by Msgr. Ronald Knox

Fr. David Friel · August 14, 2016

World Youth Day Krakow: Music Recordings

Seventeen (17) Tracks Now Available on iTunes

Jeff Ostrowski · August 12, 2016

Musical Resources • 14th Sunday after Pentecost

“May Thy Sacraments, O Lord, ever purify and fortify us…”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 12, 2016

Major Media Outlet Re: “Ad Orientem”

Corpus Christi Watershed is mentioned and cited!

Richard J. Clark · August 12, 2016

The Difficulty of Cultivating a Prayerful Focus for Musicians

Quiet prayer for church musicians is very difficult to come by. Here are nine things one may find helpful.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 11, 2016

Hymn Tunes • What’s Up With Naming Them?

Until recently, most Catholic hymnals didn’t have a metrical index!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 10, 2016

Worst Typo Of All Time?

This one got by the editor’s eye!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 9, 2016

Too Many Sopranos? Try This Canon!

A compositional miracle by Rev’d Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611).

“Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).

—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

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