Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · May 7, 2016

A Special “Gaudeamus” For 31 May

Nobody has been able to explain why they changed the psalm verse…

Richard J. Clark · May 6, 2016

Working With People With Whom One Disagrees

One’s ability to work effectively with someone else does not actually rely very much on how much one agrees with the other. Why? It comes down to three things.

Andrew Leung · May 5, 2016

Video • Mass during WW2

Vintage video of an army chaplain celebrating Mass during World War II.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · May 4, 2016

Expect The Best—And You Will Get It

If you truly love the children of your parish, fight the elitism that says young children can’t sing, or just can’t appreciate good music.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 4, 2016

Does Gregorian Chant Work In English?

“In a musical phrase, each element is a part of the whole and must take its place in that whole.” —Dom Gajard

Jeff Ostrowski · May 2, 2016

What Modern Man Cannot Ever Accept: SILENCE

“I believe that more and more people will start to come to this, if nothing else because they wish to find a way in their world to carve out quiet time.”

Andrew Leung · May 2, 2016

Video • Cardinal Burke on the Traditional Latin Mass

Here is what Cardinal Burke has to say about the Latin Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 1, 2016

Musical Resources • St. Joseph the Worker (1 May)

“Grant, O Lord, that what we have received may—by the intercession of blessed Joseph—crown our work and confirm our reward…”

Fr. David Friel · May 1, 2016

Regina Chesterton Academy

A Classical Education Track for Catholic High School Students

Veronica Brandt · April 30, 2016

How to train your dragon and the Easter Vigil Alleluia

Hearing a movie theme in the Alleluia verse from the Easter Vigil. Gregorian chant has all the good tunes.

Richard J. Clark · April 29, 2016

Children’s Choir in a Typical Suburban Parish? Endless Possibilities!

Children who sing today will be the foundation of our Church in the future.

Andrew Leung · April 28, 2016

Musical Works of Mercy

How can we help others spiritually through music?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 27, 2016

Propers for St. Joseph the Worker

This Sunday falls on May 1st, so the EF feast is “St. Joseph the Workman.”

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 26, 2016

The Devil Gets in the Details

Just remember to laugh, thank the Good Lord and keep your coffee off of the piano!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2016

Rehearsal videos • “Veni Creator Spiritus” (Fauxbourdon)

Modern ears don’t always enjoy the sound of extremely ancient music—do you?

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

Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)

Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). 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 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.

—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

“Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”

According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.

—Corpus Christi Watershed