Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Dr. Lucas Tappan · April 2, 2015

Sing One Note

When most singers receive a new motet, they focus on the words rather than the music.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 2, 2015

An Essential & Unique Thing For Holy Thursday

…and a look at Holy Thursday from the 1965 Missal.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2015

Judas Iscariot & Religious Freedom

Some have criticized Christ for making Judas part of his special group of friends.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2015

Musical Resources • Holy Thursday (1962)

Bells are rung and the organ played at the “Gloria”—but then stay silent until the Easter Vigil “Gloria.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2015

What Happened To Our Catholic Artists?

From what I can tell, a trend toward *ugly* artwork in Church publications began in the late 1950s.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 30, 2015

Is This Where It All Began?

Why do so many traditional priests have an aversion to Pope Pius XII’s revision of Holy Week?

Dr. Lucas Tappan · March 30, 2015

St. Paul’s Choir School, Harvard Square, Boston

Are you a priest, are you a music director? Perhaps God is calling YOU!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 29, 2015

Palm Sunday Outline • Extraordinary Form

During the procession, all or some of the following selections may be sung…

Jeff Ostrowski · March 29, 2015

Musical Resources • Palm Sunday (1962)

There are two ways to distribute palm branches in the Extraordinary Form.

Fr. David Friel · March 29, 2015

Essential Resources for Holy Week

Knowing What Is Needed

Veronica Brandt · March 28, 2015

Scales and counterpoint

Two part choir exercises – one for every day of the year plus a few dozen to spare.

Richard J. Clark · March 27, 2015

Five Things Directors and Choirs Must Remember This Week

You may forever change the lives of someone you do not know in ways you will never know.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2015

Diversity Of Thought

When it comes to reforming the liturgy, they want “all voices heard.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2015

“O Sacred Head Surrounded”

An easier organ accompaniment, provided by Dr. Eugène Lapierre, teacher of Roger Wagner.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2015

Free PDF • Polyphonic Gloria With Practice Videos

Uses Gregorian chant with polyphonic _Falsibordone_ by Caesare de Zachariis (†1594).

Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published

Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.

—Jeff Ostrowski

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)

With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

The literal translation: “Lord, have mercy—Christ, have mercy,” does not offer much material for an acceptable song text. The words, not having any feminine syllables, are abrupt; the sounds are almost all muted and colorless; the rhythmic flow is too brief. So many people may prefer responses that further extend the song of the assembly, e.g., “Have pity on us, Lord” or “Pardon us and change our hearts.

— J. Gelineau attacking the KYRIE ELEYSON (page 64 in “Learning to Celebrate,” 1985)