Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2015

Fr. Jonathan Morris, Pit Bull Attack, & More

What you didn’t know about Fr. Jonathan Morris…

Fr. David Friel · September 13, 2015

Brilliant Idea for A Parish Fundraiser

A Different Type of “Silent” Auction

Veronica Brandt · September 12, 2015

Coming to Church on Time

Sunday is not exactly a day of rest—I’m sure many people working in Sacred Music would heartily agree!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2015

Musical Resources • 16th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“May thy grace … cause us to be zealous at all times in the doing of good works.”

Andrew Leung · September 10, 2015

Praying for Our Dead

“Praying for Our Dead: Essential Music for Catholic Funeral Mass” workshop will be held in Jaspers, GA on October 3.

Guest Author · September 9, 2015

PDF Download • SAB Setting of “Jesu Rex Admirabilis”

Including an update on wonderful things happening for Sacred Music in Colorado!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · September 8, 2015

Teaching New Singers

I like to cover (or re-cover) all of the basics with the boys and girls.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 8, 2015

Video Demonstration • “Do Choral Vowels Matter?”

Can you see the difference? Can you hear the difference?

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · September 8, 2015

“Imagination, Preparation, Passion” • Getting the most from your choir

“The conductor should be able to hear a perfect performance of the piece before it even begins.” —Dr. Alfred Calabrese

Christopher Mueller · September 7, 2015

Liturgy And Diversity

“His answer was surprising to me, and I thought it both prudential and catholic.” —Chris Mueller

Jeff Ostrowski · September 7, 2015

A New Edition Of The 1962 Missal?

Download these Propers for Saint Pio of Pietrelcina—according to the 1962 Missale Romanum!

Fr. David Friel · September 6, 2015

The Importance of Uniforms

The world needs the witness of priests in ordinary life, not just inside the church building.

Veronica Brandt · September 5, 2015

Mind, Senses and Recorded Music

A little pop psychology for your weekend.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 5, 2015

“Wearing The Cassock” • A Bishop Weighs In

“I think that all of us clerics should rethink our choice of clothing…” —Bishop René H. Gracida

Richard J. Clark · September 4, 2015

Six Things Of Which We’ve Lost Sight

No. 3: Christ is the center of our music—not us.

New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed