Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2013

Tribute To Monsignor Francis P. Schmitt

“There is only one way—to be a man of prayer and a man of faith: to be a man in love with and imbued with Christ’s life.”

Richard J. Clark · January 25, 2013

Full and Active Preparation – ora et labora

For the sacred musician, full and active participation not only includes mindfulness during mass . . .

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · January 24, 2013

Musical Harmony Softens Hard Hearts

Saint Hildegard of Bingen, pray for us!

Cynthia Ostrowski · January 23, 2013

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #03

I will be releasing hundreds of these B/W religious line art drawings for free and instant download.

Richard J. Clark · January 23, 2013

A Simple SSA Offering

A beautiful model of the evangelization we must do in our churches and faith communities

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 21, 2013

Homiletic & Pastoral Review: Article by Fr. Friel

As I prayed these prayers from the new missal for the first time on January 3, 2012, I was struck nearly dumb . . .

Jeff Ostrowski · January 20, 2013

Babies, Toddlers, And The Sacred Liturgy

I can only imagine what would happen if I brought home a friend home without preparation or planning.

Fr. David Friel · January 20, 2013

The Mass

Miracle or Magic?

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski · January 17, 2013

In every age, the challenge is the same

A Bible passage that has always struck me very forcefully . . .

Richard J. Clark · January 17, 2013

St. Cecilia, Pray for Us

Why do we so intensely hand over our lives to the Church without fully realizing it until it is much too late?

Veronica Brandt · January 16, 2013

Biography • Veronica Brandt

Veronica has published a wide variety of Catholic publications . . .

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · January 15, 2013

Biography • Dr. Alfred Calabrese

Alfred holds a doctorate in choral conducting from Indiana University…

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 15, 2013

John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music

The Newsletter for January 2013 and questionnaire.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2013

Reflections On Playing The Piano At Church

Reflections on whether the piano ought be used at the Catholic Mass.

Richard J. Clark · January 14, 2013

Biography • Richard J. Clark

Richard serves as Music Director and Organist at Holy Cross Cathedral . . .

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 • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. 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 • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. 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

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with 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

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed