Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Fr. David Friel · October 18, 2015

World Meeting of Families 2015 & the Papal Visit to Philadelphia — Part 2 of 2

Monsignor Marini’s Final Encouragement to Papal Mass Servers

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2015

Musical Resources • 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“…in Thine infinite mercy, O Lord, restore our souls to health…”

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 17, 2015

“Regina Caeli” Sung By Young Children

They miss an ictus or two, but it still sounds glorious!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2015

Yikes! Even The Monastery Of Solesmes

Did you notice how they carefully deleted all the beautiful artwork?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2015

Watershed Needs Your Help To Continue!

“Watershed has been extremely helpful and has brought so much solace and support…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 15, 2015

What? Sundays after Pentecost?

Be careful this year.

Andrew Leung · October 15, 2015

My New Assignment—Part 2

An update on my new assignment.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · October 15, 2015

The Church Must Be Countercultural

What music is appropriate for a wedding?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 14, 2015

When Choirmasters Despair

No matter how superb your music program is…

Fr. David Friel · October 13, 2015

Discussion of “Inclusivity” & “Diversity” at the Synod

Remarks from Archbishop Chaput

Dr. Lucas Tappan · October 13, 2015

Taka… What?

Kids love this!

Christopher Mueller · October 12, 2015

Rediscovering “Musicam Sacram”

I encountered anew this wonderfully clear and concise document about music in the liturgy.

Guest Author · October 12, 2015

“Saving” Gregorian Chant In The Ordinary Form

Daniel Craig’s review with a “signs of the times” digression.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2015

Kyrie XI • Gregorian Chant

I’ve wrongly neglected this famous chant.

Fr. David Friel · October 11, 2015

World Meeting of Families 2015 & the Papal Visit to Philadelphia — Part 1 of 2

A Behind-the-Scenes Look

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

“Dom Pothier does not belong to the dim past, as the silence which surrounds his name would lead one to believe. Only a few years separate us from the time when—growing old and heavily burdened by trials—Dom Pothier was concentrating his ever keen attention on the study of manuscripts in the Belgian place of retreat where his community had found refuge. For he was the abbot; and there can be no doubt that the cross he wore during those days was a cross of sorrow, though he bore it with a smile.”

— Dom Ermin Vitry, OSB (31-OCT-1936)