Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Andrew Leung · May 26, 2016

A Guardian of the Sacred Tradition in the South

The Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul is a Guardian of the Sacred Tradition and a great Patron Sacred Music and Arts.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 24, 2016

Teaching the Very Young

I have received a number of emails of late from such musicians with questions regarding the musical training of the very young…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 24, 2016

O Salutaris Hostia • Do You Like This Version?

Download this 47-page booklet … and please pardon any typos!

Cynthia Ostrowski · May 23, 2016

Los Angeles: Less Than A Week Away!

A phenomenal event which involves our District Superior & Archbishop Gomez.

Fr. David Friel · May 22, 2016

Guide for Large-Scale Celebrations

10 Points from a Newly Translated Document

Richard J. Clark · May 20, 2016

Composing Saves My Life

By shear will I chip away at the wretched dumpster fire of incongruence on the page. Then a purpose languidly surfaces with each revised note: Composing is a form of prayer.

Andrew Leung · May 19, 2016

Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2016

Southeastern Sacred Music presents Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2016.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2016

May Crowning • The Official Antiphon

Do you agree this is a dark antiphon?

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 17, 2016

Video • Most Pure Heart of Mary Schola Cantorum

Our program continues to expand, and we look forward to working with more than 60 students next year!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2016

The Terrifying “But” Of Vatican II

Only four (4) bishops voted against the Vatican II document on liturgy.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2016

Blast From The Past!

What did the Traditional Latin Mass look like sixteen years ago?

Veronica Brandt · May 14, 2016

Veni Creator Chant Plus Polyphony by Couturier

Getting more mileage out of a beautiful hymn by alternating 4 part verses with the chant.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 13, 2016

Musical Resources • Pentecost Sunday

“O God, Who on this day didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit…”

Andrew Leung · May 12, 2016

Feast of Bl. Álvaro del Portillo

Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, the successor of St. Josemaría Escrivá and Prelate of Opus Dei.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2016

Rehearsal videos • “Come, Holy Ghost” (SATB)

Pentecost is coming—are you ready?

“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