Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

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.

Andrew Leung · September 3, 2015

Cardinal Burke will be in Steubenville!

Cardinal Burke will be visiting Steubenville next Tuesday.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 3, 2015

Rehearsal Videos • “Jesu Dulcis Memoria”

I first sang this marvelous piece as a freshman in college, under Dr. James F. Daugherty.

Andrew Leung · September 2, 2015

Video • Ars Celebrandi 2015

A video of Ars Celebrandi Workshops in Poland

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2015

Musical Resources • 15th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“May thine abiding loving-kindness, O Lord, cleanse and fortify thy Church…”

Guest Author · September 1, 2015

The Responsorial Psalm: What You Never Knew!

…including recent documentation from the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy (USCCB).

Andrew Leung · September 1, 2015

BIG NEWS • SSPX Priests can Validly Absolve

Pope Francis has granted that SSPX priests can give absolution validly and licitly during the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 1, 2015

SUPPORTING MATERIALS • Jogues Missal

Never purchase another Missalette: Daily Companion approved by the USCCB!

Guest Author · August 31, 2015

Adapting Chant To The Vernacular

“The more closely a composition approaches the Gregorian melodic form, the more sacred it becomes.”

Fr. David Friel · August 30, 2015

Society for Catholic Liturgy Conference 2015

Featuring Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Dr. William Mahrt, and Fr. Uwe Michael Lang

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