Views from the Choir Loft

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 4, 2026

Funeral Music “Template” • For Families

This was difficult to assemble, because the “Ordo Exsequiarum” has never been translated into English.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 3, 2026

“To Cover Sin With Smooth Names”

You owe it to yourself to examine the sample pages (from the full-color section).

Jeff Ostrowski · February 2, 2026

Heretical Hymns

A nice tune, but a nasty text!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 29, 2026

Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904

This is quite a beautiful image.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 29, 2026

PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”

Whence this lack of curiosity?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2026

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

Motet is defined as: “a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic and unaccompanied.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 28, 2026

PDF Download • “Hymn for 2 Voices”

If your choir is very small, this piece is for you!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2026

PDF Download • “Pange Lingua” for Three Voices (Father Edgard De Laet)

For very small choirs, this arrangement can be sung with one male and two females.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 20, 2026

Music List • (3rd Sund. Ordinary Time)

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

Jeff Ostrowski · January 20, 2026

PDF Download • “Tantum Ergo” for 3 Voices (Kevin Allen) Paired with a Hymn for 2 Voices

The children’s choir I direct loves singing Kevin Allen’s music … as does our adult choir!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2026

“Holy Name Hymn” (2-Voice Arrangement)

This 2-voice arrangement is free to all.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2026

PDF Download • Introit (3rd Sn. Ord.)

This coming Sunday—25 January 2026—is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 17, 2026

“Information Requested About Hymnals”

The following message was sent to us by a reader…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2026

“Lamb of God” (Musical Setting)

This makes it possible to adjust based upon who’s singing (at which time of day).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2026

PDF Download • Introit (2nd Sn. Ord.)

This mode is ‘serious’ or ‘dark’ or ‘haunting’—but gorgeous.

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

“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