Views from the Choir Loft

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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.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 13, 2026

PDF • “Dr. Adrian Fortescue: Priest & Musician”

“No one was ever (outwardly) less priestly; no one was ever (inwardly) more thoroughly a priest.” —Edith Cowell

Jeff Ostrowski · January 12, 2026

PDF Download • “Outrageously Rare” Feder Missal (Latin, French, & English) — 3,290 pages!

A gift to our readers, presented in super-high resolution.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2026

Comm. Fauxbourdon • “What does it sound like?”

Remember the days you prayed for what you have now!

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!

Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)

On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!

—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