Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download

Jeff Ostrowski · April 17, 2017

PDF Download • Last Minute Holy Saturday File

“The use of Psalm 150 is a change from the experimental Easter Vigil (1951-1955) in which Psalm 116 was used for Lauds.” —Msgr. McManus

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2017

PDF Download • Booklet for Congregation

May I share a secret?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 21, 2017

Easter Hymn: “O Filii et Filiæ” • Contemporary setting (SATB)

Pardon my squeaky Soprano notes, but I wanted to demonstrate how it sounds! • A wonderful setting of the haunting “Easter Alleluia” based on a work by Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 20, 2017

PDF Download • Booklet for St. Joseph (19 March)

The absolute best method for choosing starting pitches…

Jeff Ostrowski · March 6, 2017

PDF Download • “Antiphonale Romanum” (1949)

Yesterday, I used the text on page 366 to create an SATB Hymn for Lent.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 21, 2017

PDF Download • “Cantus Varii” (469 Pages)

The revolution continues!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2017

PDF Download • “Sing the Angelus” (Plainchant)

Can you think of a better way to begin your choir rehearsals?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 17, 2017

PDF • “The Book of Ceremonies” (629 pages)

By Rev. Laurence J. O’Connell, and *published in English* in 1943.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2017

PDF Download • Epiphany Booklet (FSSP.la)

To match the ancient acrostic, Erasmus changed the first line to “Herodis Hostes.”

Andrew Leung · January 5, 2017

PDF Download • “Missa de Angelis” (Fr. Castro)

Fr. Áureo Castro’s setting alternates the chant melody and the choral parts.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2016

PDF Download • “Rorate Mass” Booklet

Including a video snippet taken in Los Angeles.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 8, 2016

PDF Download • Immac. Conception Music Booklet

Make sure to read the translation of the Offertory Hymn—so gorgeous!

Andrew Leung · November 24, 2016

Free Download • Simple Choral Midnight Mass Introit

A simple setting of “Dominus Dixit ad Me” by Fr. Áureo Castro.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 23, 2016

PDF Download • “Ordo Missæ” As We Use It

Do you provide something similar for your choirs?

Guest Author · October 27, 2016

PDF Download • “Mass of the Alabaster Jar” (2016)

These settings were written to be easily played by pianists and organists of an intermediate skill level.

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