Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Andrew Leung · February 5, 2015

The Greatest Enemy of Sacred Music?

“When Gregorian Chant is being sung, our bodies naturally go into a more peaceful, still, and contemplative mode.” —Andrew Leung

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 5, 2015

Patience, Patience, Patience

“I have known people who began teaching music in the class room and within a couple of years decided they would rather work for a bank.” —Lucas Tappan

Jeff Ostrowski · February 4, 2015

Exclusive Interview With Dr. William Mahrt

Towards the end I ask the CMAA president a loaded question … and he answers!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 3, 2015

Palestrina “O Crux Ave” • Practice Videos

I’ve been yearning to sing this piece since 2002.

Andrew R. Motyka · February 3, 2015

Truth, Beauty, and Pop Culture, Part 1

In which I take unpopular stances about popular things.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 2, 2015

How To Properly Train Young Voices To Sing At Mass

“Our pastor called all the students in grades 4-8 together, declaring that he would personally pay for the organ lessons of any student willing to learn…” —Dr. Tappan

Jeff Ostrowski · February 2, 2015

Elvis Presley, Offertory Processions, & “Alius Cantus”

Offertory processions in the 1940s? Really?

Fr. David Friel · February 1, 2015

Pope Francis & the Devil

Driving Out the Unclean Spirits in Our Midst

Veronica Brandt · January 31, 2015

Lord of the World

A highly recommended book which relies on some background knowledge of sacred music.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 31, 2015

Musical Resources • Septuagesima Sunday

«GLORIA in EXCELSIS» is not said from Septuagesima Sunday until Easter, except on Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, & some special feasts.

Richard J. Clark · January 30, 2015

Liturgy of the Word and Paraphrasing the Responsorial Psalm

Would a lector paraphrase a reading from Isaiah or Paul? Would a deacon or priest change the words while proclaiming the Gospel of St. Luke?

Guest Author · January 29, 2015

How Important Is The Poetic Value Of A Hymn?

“If Christians want me to believe in their god, they will have to sing me better hymns.” —Nietzsche

Cynthia Ostrowski · January 28, 2015

Catholic Bulletin Art • Installment #68

Today’s installment is a third picture of the Epiphany—different than the two we’ve previously posted.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2015

Innocuous But Uninspired Music At Mass?

In my youth, I recall singing some of these same songs at Mass, but I refused to do the hand gestures.

Aurelio Porfiri · January 27, 2015

Understanding

“Immanentism means there is no reality beyond what we know…” —Aurelio Porfiri

Psalm Tone Challenge!

Many readers know that Tone 1a3 is the most difficult PSALM TONE in the 1962 books (and isn’t called for very often). But what about very short verses—which is the absolute most concise you know? The shortest PSALM TONE segment I know would be the fourth verse (PDF) from Psalm 44, used during Matins at Christmas. It’s literally one word long. If you know a more minuscule one, please email me!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)

I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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 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