Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2015

Worst Song Ever?

What Church musicians can learn from “Friday” by Rebecca Black.

Richard J. Clark · October 2, 2015

Believe. Connect. Disappear.

The older I get, I prepare more not to receive accolades, but to become invisible.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 1, 2015

Musical Resources • 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“Almighty and merciful God, in thy goodness put far from us all that may work us harm…”

Andrew Leung · October 1, 2015

Mass in the Ancient Form at a Basilica

The Traditional Latin Mass is being offered regularly at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · October 1, 2015

Is this the “Proper” solution for you?

I’ve decided to try an experiment that may work in other parishes.

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 29, 2015

Fr. David Friel At The Papal Masses (Part 2)

We are so proud of our own Fr. David Friel.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · September 29, 2015

Solfege

I feel that solfege is the fastest and most secure route to establishing the scale and the way its notes function within that scale in the minds of singers.

Andrew Leung · September 28, 2015

Papal Liturgies – Day 6 of the Papal Visit

Pope Francis celebrated the Closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families on the last day of his visit.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 28, 2015

PDF Download • Extremely Rare Hymnal (1952)

Published by the Catholic Choirmasters’ Guild of Buffalo, New York.

Veronica Brandt · September 26, 2015

Praise to the Holiest

The seven stanzas of amazingness by Blessed Cardinal Newman with three tunes to choose from.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 26, 2015

Fr. David Friel & Pope Francis

A friend kindly sent me these photos…

Andrew Leung · September 26, 2015

Papal Liturgies – Day 4 & 5 of the Papal Visit

2 Papal Masses in New York and Philadelphia.

Andrew Leung · September 24, 2015

My New Assignment—Part 1

Please pray for me as I continue to discern my vocation to the priesthood.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2015

Musical Resources • 18th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“In thy tender mercy, guide aright, we beseech thee, O Lord, our hearts…”

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · September 24, 2015

Getting the most from your choir: Passion

Passion … is a tremendous engine for achieving the very best results.

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. 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 • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. 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 • “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 Download • “In Paradisum” in English

We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.

—Jeff Ostrowski

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.

—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