Views from the Choir Loft

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2026

“Ad Te Levavi” • Variant

This particular variant hints at “tone painting.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2026

Spectacular Communion Setting!

Both text & melody are quite beautiful.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2026

Hymn Translation • “Was Dr. John Mason Neale the Greatest of All Time?”

I received permission to reveal publicly this “comparison chart” of hymn translations.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2026

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 11 January)

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Julie Huebner · January 4, 2026

“Puer Natus in Béthlehem” • (Added Fifths)

A dash of something!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 4, 2026

Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”

This can be sung by one woman and one man.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2026

Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)

Simplified keyboard accompaniment for “Bethlehem! Of noblest cities” (Epiphany hymn).

Jeff Ostrowski · December 30, 2025

Psalm Tone Challenge!

If you know a shorter one, please email me!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 27, 2025

“Kaitrin Drost Strikes Again!” • Plus a Few Random Thoughts and Tirades by Jeff Ostrowski

Imagine walking up into a choir loft and sounding like these young ladies without rehearsal.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 26, 2025

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

Please play through it and let me know what you think.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2025

💰 Are Church Musicians Paid Too Little?

I came very close to paying an unspeakably severe price.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 21, 2025

PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English

If anyone wants to download this organ accompaniment, feel free to do so!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2025

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for the feast of the Holy Family.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2025

Should Catholics Sing Protestant Christmas Carols?

Including the “music list” I have prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2025

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass.

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—Corpus Christi Watershed

Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904

Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)

I believe 99% of our readers will recognize this hymn tune. Perhaps Father Edgard De Laet should have called it a ‘hymn’ instead of a ‘motet for three voices’—but he’s technically correct, since MOTET is defined as: “a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic and unaccompanied.” The even verses are for three voices, as you will see if you download the PDF score at #20245. The odd verses may be song a cappella SATB or unison with organ.

—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