Views from the Choir Loft

The Annual Sacred Music Symposium

O YOU SING AT CHURCH? Do you direct a choir? Do you believe the liturgy should be set apart (holy) and beautiful? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, we urge you to consider attending the SACRED MUSIC SYMPOSIUM! If you attend Mass in either form—Ordinary or Extraordinary—you won’t want to miss it. When it comes to Catholic musicians “in the trenches” our annual event is considered the church music conference par excellence. We invite you to scroll down and read some of the hundreds of personal testimonies we have received vis-à-vis this life-changing event. Our conference is described by the film below.

Dramatic & Spectacular Testimonies
from Sacred Music Symposium 2023

Here’s the direct URL link.

*  PDF Download • 2025 POSTER (High Resolution)
*  PDF Download • 2025 REPERTOIRE BOOKLET (for participants)
*  PDF Download • SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for 2025

2024 Announcement:
Jeff Ostrowski’s seminar, Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster (based on the many lectures Mr. Ostrowski has given during symposia over the past decade) has been committed to video for posterity. —Learn more.

Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”

From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“The Worm That Dieth Not”

My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed