Views from the Choir Loft

President's Corner

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 30, 2026

💲 5.00 💵

Can you spare a few dollars each month to help us survive?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 29, 2026

Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904

This is quite a beautiful image.

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 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).

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 8, 2026

Spectacular Communion Setting!

Both text & melody are quite beautiful.

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.

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 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

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

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

‘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.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Buckfast Abbey Weighs In

Dom John Stéphan was a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey in South Devon, England. On 4 February 1933, he published this interesting letter in THE TABLET. Have you seen the exterior of Buckfast Abbey? It’s beyond gorgeous. I doubt there’s a more arresting Abbey in the entire world. Dom Stéphan’s letter is concerning this momentous collection, which our organization obtained, scanned, and uploaded.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

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