Views from the Choir Loft

Quick Thoughts

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 1, 2025

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity”…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2025

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Do any readers speak German?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 6, 2025

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

Those responsible for preparing parish bulletins may wish to…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2025

“American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)

This one book contains and memorializes every horrible idea from the 1980s.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2025

“Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams

This is quite a clever arrangement of “Come down, O love divine.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2025

Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?

Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952…

Jeff Ostrowski · September 21, 2025

PDF Download • “Side-By-Side Comparison”

Re: the special hymn for the upcoming feast (9 November).

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 7, 2025

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Saint John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible.

Corpus Christi Watershed · September 6, 2025

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

This myth is quite pervasive.

Corpus Christi Watershed · August 14, 2025

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

The Schwann edition is on 4 lines, the version by Dr. Weinmann is on 5.

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 13, 2025

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

This extremely rare hymnal was published in 1959.

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 11, 2025

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

See whether you agree that Father Weinmann made matters worse.

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 1, 2025

Antiphons Don’t Match?

The short answer is: the “Adalbert Propers” were never intended to be sung.

Veronica Brandt · April 1, 2025

When to Sit, Stand and Kneel like it’s 1962

There are lots of different guides to postures for Mass…

“Music List” • 9 Nov. (Dedic. Lateran)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 9 November 2025, which is the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Offertory (9 Nov.)

This year, the feast of 9 November replaces the Sunday. The OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF file) for 9 November is exceedingly beautiful. The ‘Laterani’ mansion at Rome was the popes’ residence for a thousand years. The church there still is the cathedral church of Rome—“Mother and Head of all churches of the City and of the World,” says the inscription over the entrance. It is dedicated to Our Holy Savior, but has long been commonly known as “St. John Lateran” owing to its famous baptistery of St. John the Baptist. In this church, the pope’s own ‘cathedra’ (episcopal chair) stands in the apse.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Job Opening • $65,000 per year +

A parish 15 minutes away from me is looking for a choir director and organist. The parish is filled with young families. When I began my career, I would have jumped at such an opportunity! Saint Patrick’s in Grand Haven has a job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year including benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” I lived in Kansas for 15 years, Texas for 10 years, and Los Angeles for 10 years. Michigan is the closest place I know to heaven!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of November (2025)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski