Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Richard J. Clark · August 7, 2015

That’s Entertainment, Folks!

Entertainment distracts from the Real Presence. We must lead. We must offer substance. Our spiritual lives depend upon it, as do those whom we serve.

Andrew Leung · August 6, 2015

Sacred Music as an Emotional Experience

Emotions and the field of Sacred Music

Jeff Ostrowski · August 6, 2015

Pope Paul VI Celebrates Ambrosian Rite At Vatican II

Cardinal Montini—later known as Pope Paul VI—celebrates Mass in the St. Peter’s Basilica during Vatican II.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 5, 2015

Help Needed From Organists Who Can Improvise!

Are you a composer?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 5, 2015

Musical Resources • 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

The Verdelot “Agnus Dei” gets better and better the more we explore its treasures.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 4, 2015

My Response To “Should Church Singers Be Paid?”

“The labourer is worthy of his hire.” (I Tim 5:18)

Dr. Lucas Tappan · August 4, 2015

A Must Have For The Choir Director’s Shelf

This book is invaluable for the church musician.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 4, 2015

The Easiest Way To Teach Your Choir Polyphony

What could be simpler or more fun than this?

Jeff Ostrowski · August 4, 2015

Why St. Josemaría Escrivá Only Celebrated The Extraordinary Form

“Such moments had been a part of his spiritual life since boyhood and through his priesthood.”

Fr. David Friel · August 3, 2015

Assumption Mass 1

A Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form next Friday evening in Philadelphia.

Andrew Leung · August 2, 2015

Maestro Colin Mawby—The Newest Blogger

Maestro Mawby is now a contributor for «CASTAWAY» and his articles may interest you…

Fr. David Friel · August 2, 2015

Vesting Prayers • Part 5 of 9

The Cincture

Jeff Ostrowski · August 2, 2015

Loading Choir Binders for 2 August 2015

Once we finish revising the scores at Goupil, this will be unnecessary.

Veronica Brandt · August 1, 2015

Teaching chant to your children

Just a little each day. As Confucius says: “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

Richard J. Clark · July 31, 2015

Personal Issues Manifested in the Mass

Personal tensions can rise to the highest boiling point during Mass and no other place.
Why is this? As it turns out, there’s a pretty interesting reason.

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 • “Music List” (Immaculate Concep.)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 8 December 2025, the feast of OUR LADY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. In Latin, the title of this feast is: In Conceptione Immaculata Beatae Mariae Virginis. 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 • “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