Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · December 4, 2013

1934 “Antiphonale Monasticum” (Solesmes Abbey) • Free PDF Download!

Feel free to download all 1,296 pages!

Cynthia Ostrowski · December 3, 2013

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #44

I will be releasing hundreds of these B/W religious line art drawings for free and instant download. These beautiful Catholic “woodcuts” were done with magnificent skill. “Download Free Traditional Catholic Clipart”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 3, 2013

The G.I.R.M. Mentions “Hymnus” Only Once …

Ironically, that’s the spot you’re least likely to hear a hymn at Mass!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 2, 2013

How “Catholic” Is Congregational Singing?

John Paul II asked your forgiveness in 1980 … did you forgive him?

Gwyneth Holston · December 2, 2013

Enough is Enough!

Why are our Catholic bookstores full of bad art?

Fr. David Friel · December 1, 2013

Chant Behind Bars

Might Chant Scholas Flourish in Prisons?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2013

Uh Oh … How do you spell “Ressurection” ?

The new Gregorian Missal (Solesmes, 2012) is a marvelous book.

Veronica Brandt · November 30, 2013

Trimmings on Advent

Cards, gifts, wreaths, trees and candles. How do you keep Advent?

Richard J. Clark · November 29, 2013

A Challenge for the “Big Three” — Is there a Market for the Propers?

I have a challenge to the “Big Three” publishers. The propers are the new frontier of liturgical composition. I propose that they get ahead of the curve now.

Fr. David Friel · November 28, 2013

Deo Gratias

The Liturgical Model of Gratitude

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · November 28, 2013

Spiritual Reading

Do you have a plan about which spiritual book you will be reading this Advent?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2013

With Regard to the New Document by Francis: “Evangelii Gaudium”

I’ve encountered priests who believe their job during the sermon is to talk like Rush Limbaugh, Chris Matthews, or Bill O’Reilly.

Cynthia Ostrowski · November 26, 2013

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #43

I will be releasing hundreds of these B/W religious line art drawings for free and instant download. These beautiful Catholic “woodcuts” were done with magnificent skill. “Download Free Traditional Catholic Clipart”

Gwyneth Holston · November 25, 2013

Hans Memling’s Masterpiece: The Last Judgment

Christmas is coming! For Catholics, that means its time to think about the Apocalypse.

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 24, 2013

Traditional Latin Hymnal “Facts Sheet”

Folks have been requesting a “breakdown” of the St. Edmund Campion Hymnal … so here it is!

PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”

Although it isn’t nearly as ancient as other hymns in the plainsong repertoire, Atténde Dómine, et miserére, quía peccávimus tíbi (“Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee”) has become one of the most popular hymns for LENT—perhaps because it was included in the famous Liber Usualis of Solesmes. This musical score (PDF file) has an incredibly accurate version in English, as well as a nice version in Spanish, and also the original Latin. Although I don’t claim to have a great singing voice, this morning I recorded this rehearsal video.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (1st Sunday of Lent)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday—22 February 2026—the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the outstanding feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. I spent an enormous amount of time preparing this ORDER OF MUSIC—because the children’s choir will join us—and some of its components came out great. For example, the COMMUNION ANTIPHON with Fauxbourdon is utterly resplendent, yet still ‘Lenten’.

—Jeff Ostrowski

2-Voice Arrangement for Lent

Those seeking a two-voice arrangement for LENT and PASSIONTIDE should click here and scroll down. It’s based on number 775 in the Brébeuf Hymnal, with an enchanting melody written by Kevin Allen (the legendary American composer of sacred music). That text—“Pendens In Crucis Cornibus”—is often used for the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. That link is important because, in addition to the musical score, it provides free rehearsal videos for each individual voice: something volunteer choirs appreciate!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”

I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”

—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