Views from the Choir Loft

President's Corner

Jeff Ostrowski · April 12, 2026

Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)

Last time I created a ‘simplified’ keyboard accompaniment it was downloaded more than 1,000 times within 24 hours.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 11, 2026

PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”

The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue).

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2026

‘German’ Introductions for Hymns

German organ books have an enchanting habit…

Jeff Ostrowski · April 8, 2026

Buckfast Abbey Weighs In

Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2026

Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

What does this actually sound like?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2026

Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for Easter Sunday 2026.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2026

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

At the last second, a few tones were changed in the antiphon.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2026

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Do you recognize it?

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 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!

Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)

Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simple click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”

The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘German’ Introductions for Hymns

German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest. Notice they also added a ‘tailpiece’ or ‘playout’ or postlude at the end—a very German thing to do!

—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