Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Fr. David Friel · November 1, 2011

Marching in A Great Multitude

Our Destiny

Fr. David Friel · October 26, 2011

Fear & Trembling

The Anxiety of Abraham

Guest Author · October 18, 2011

The title you choose must not be extremely long

This should be a (relatively short) sentence designed to make people want to read your blog. It can have some “shock value” … but don’t go crazy!

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 12, 2011

Five New Translation Videos • “Glory To God”

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Fr. David Friel · September 28, 2011

Weddings & Funerals

What’s the Difference?

Fr. David Friel · September 21, 2011

A Reminder

Message from a One-Month-Old

Fr. David Friel · September 14, 2011

The Triumph of the Cross

Choosing Death

Fr. David Friel · September 4, 2011

Growth in Holiness

The Joy of Shepherds

Fr. David Friel · August 29, 2011

Masculine Spirituality

Losing Our Heads

Fr. David Friel · August 21, 2011

Peter Lives On

Pointing to the Truth

Fr. David Friel · August 12, 2011

Seeking the Face of God

We Have to Hear before We See

Fr. David Friel · August 5, 2011

The Work of God & the Work of Man

On Priestly Zeal

Fr. David Friel · July 26, 2011

The Experience of Ordination

What was I thinking?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2011

Modern Sacred Music

QUESTION: Are there any composers alive today writing truly great Sacred music?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 17, 2011

Proof Beyond A Shadow Of A Doubt

Whenever you learn a new word, you will see it within 24 hours.

Message from the Vice-President!

The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn

A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!” Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Seven (7) Hymn Verses for November!

In the month of November, we remember in a special way the souls in purgatory. The BRÉBEUF HYMNAL often includes text alone versions for its hymns; why is that? The short answer is: flexibility. The “text only” version allows each choirmaster to employ a myriad of melodies. For example, I recently set the English translation of “De Profúndis” with the DAVOST MELODY (PDF). We are singing this before November ends. Indeed, you can hear our volunteer singing this (in real life) if you click here.

—Jeff Ostrowski