Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Andrew Leung · August 18, 2015

Summer Sacred Music Workshop — Report

Report on the Summer Sacred Music Workshop in Jasper, GA.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 17, 2015

PDF Download • “Mount Mary Hymnal” (1937)

All 255 pages of this famous hymn book can now be downloaded as a PDF.

Fr. David Friel · August 16, 2015

Vesting Prayers • Part 7 of 9

The Stole

Richard J. Clark · August 14, 2015

Entering the Mainstream Conversation

Will Cardinal Sarah’s recent letter make it into the mainstream conversation?

Andrew Leung · August 13, 2015

Thoughts on the “Hymn” for the Year of Mercy?

The Vatican has just introduced the official hymn of the Holy Year Of Mercy. Any thoughts?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 13, 2015

Musical Resources • 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

The “Testament of the Spirit” is the new and permanent covenant established by Jesus Christ between God and men.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 12, 2015

Cardinal Sarah’s Powerful Letter Available In English!

“Adoremus Bulletin” has uploaded a translation of the CDW Prefect’s document.

Andrew Leung · August 12, 2015

John Scott (1956-2015)

Today, the world lost one of the greatest living church musicians, Dr. John Scott.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 11, 2015

Evelyn Waugh Requiem Panegyric Preached At Westminster By Fr. Caraman (21 April 1966)

“Evelyn was sad when he read of churches in which the old altar was taken down…”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 11, 2015

Remarkable! • Amiens Cathedral During World War

There’s something scary about this image!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 10, 2015

Carlo Rossini: “Exaltate Deum Hymnal” (1941)

115 Offertories, Motets, and Hymns for SATB choirs.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 9, 2015

Do You Like This German Hymn Tune?

Hymns in 3/4 can present problems, but this one really isn’t…

Fr. David Friel · August 9, 2015

Vesting Prayers • Part 6 of 9

The Maniple

Veronica Brandt · August 8, 2015

Three part motet for the Assumption by Ravanello

A little counterpoint gem with ramblings on solfege.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 7, 2015

Propers for the Assumption (15 August)

Videos, Scores, & Mp3 Files

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