Views from the Choir Loft

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 12, 2016

Motet • “Verbum Supernum” by Fr. Carlo Rossini

This SATB setting can be used during any liturgical season and has “O Salutaris Hostia” as one of its verses.

Andrew Leung · February 11, 2016

Three Common Misconceptions about Chant

If we can solve these 3 misunderstandings, people can fall in love with chant easier!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2016

“Audi Benigne Conditor” • Gregorian Hymn For Lent

The text is by St. Gregory the Great, who was Pope from 590-604.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 10, 2016

Decapitation of an Innocent Meadowlark

Do we remember that people in the pews often lack our musical background?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 9, 2016

Francisco Guerrero • “Hymn To The Sacred Trinity” (SATB with Plainsong)

Are you up for a special hymn challenge?

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 9, 2016

Chorister Vocal Pedagogy

I hope this might serve as a foundation for your future work with young singers in your parish.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 8, 2016

What Are You Doing For Lent?

“The phone is our century’s plague. It destroys character, interaction, friendships, families, and our time. We are glued to these devices.”

Fr. David Friel · February 7, 2016

The Phrasing of the Sanctus

The Difference a Comma Makes

Veronica Brandt · February 6, 2016

Jesus Played Marbles

A picture book painting an historical picture of Jesus’ hidden life with the boys known in the Bible as His brothers while providing the evidence supporting the Catholic teaching of the perpetual virginity of Our Lady. And how to play marbles in a friendly way.

Richard J. Clark · February 5, 2016

The Three Pillars of a Successful Parish

There are three pillars that must be in place for a parish to sow the seeds of growth and vibrancy. If any one of them falls, the others suffer.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 5, 2016

Candles for Candlemas

A light of Revelation to the Gentiles!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 5, 2016

2016 • Sacred Music Symposium (Last Year’s)

We’re approaching capacity—if you’re interested, we need to hear from you soon!

Andrew Leung · February 4, 2016

Interview • Brandon Harvey, Founder of a New Institute

Brandon Harvey introducing the new Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant

Andrew Leung · February 4, 2016

BBC’s Choral Vespers from the London Oratory

The Sung Vespers is currently featured by BBC Radio 3

Cynthia Ostrowski · February 3, 2016

“Ad Orientem” Image You’ll Want To Download

This high resolution image portrays a priest offering Mass with the Holy Trinity above.

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.

—Jeff Ostrowski