Views from the Choir Loft

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 30, 2026

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at a Roman Catholic Cathedral until his death.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 28, 2026

Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 28, 2026

Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?

Should this be added to the “pernicious hymn pairing” collection?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2026

Pipe Organ “Answers” in Plainsong?

Some might be a bit confused as to why it says the organ “answers” in Plainsong.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2026

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 23, 2026

“Versions of the Psalter” • Jeff Interviews Top Biblical Scholar: Dr. Mark Giszczak

Including a special release—“Rare as a Unicorn”—Pius XII Psalter in Latin and English (1,545 pages).

Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2026

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

A wonderful option for smaller choirs.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 20, 2026

Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2026

Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for Maundy Thursday.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2026

“O Escam Viatorum” • (Holy Thursday)

I was way off the mark!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2026

PDF Download • Simplified Keyboard Accompaniments for Lenten Hymns

There’s nothing wrong with simplicity—so long as the music itself is inspired, memorable, dignified, and singable.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 14, 2026

Music List • (4th Sunday of Lent)

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2026

PDF Download • Communion (4th Snd. Lent)

There’s something irresistible about this tone.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 10, 2026

Most “Congregational” Hymn • (In My Experience)

The key ingredient for a good parish music program.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 9, 2026

Good Friday Flowers

Surely there are more than 1,000.

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Palm Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Palm Sunday—a.k.a. “Dominica in palmis de Passione Domini”—which is 29 March 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The OFFERTORY (Impropérium exspectávit cor meum) is quite moving. Even though the COMMUNION ANTIPHON is relatively simple, the Fauxbourdon makes it sound outstanding.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Easter • Would You Sing This Hymn?

He who examines Laudes Dei: a hymnal for Catholic congregations (St. Louis, 1894) will discover this pairing of a hymn for Easter. For the record, this isn’t the only Catholic hymn book to marry that text and melody; e.g. Saint Mark’s Hymnal for Use in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States (Peoria, 1910) does the same thing. Sometimes an unexpected pairing—chosen with sensitivity—can be superb, forcing singers to experience the text in a ‘fresh’ and wonderful way. On the other hand, we sometimes encounter something I’ve called “PERNICIOUS HYMN PAIRINGS.” If you find the subject in intriguing, feel free to peruse an article I published in May of 2023. As always, my email inbox is open if you have a bone to pick with my take.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.

—Jeff Ostrowski