Cantor Plus Organist

Jeff Ostrowski · July 14, 2020

PDF Download • “Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Mass”

The fourth installment—“Mass settings that work well, even with a single cantor + organist.”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 24, 2020

PDF Download • “Saint Edmund Jennings Mass”

Today comes the third setting. A total of five Masses will be released.

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Jeff Ostrowski · June 17, 2020

PDF Download • “Saint Anne Line Mass”

I will release five (5) Mass settings which come off well with a single cantor & organist; today is the 2nd installment.

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Jeff Ostrowski · June 11, 2020

PDF Download • “Saint Ralph Sherwin Mass”

Over the next few weeks, I will release five (5) different Mass settings which can be sung with a single cantor & organist.

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Why Text Only?

Why do hymns in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal give so many optional “text only” versions of the hymns? It’s easier to demonstrate than explain. Consider Hymn #24, which allows the director to choose a wonderful melody and easily apply it to the text. Hymnal editors knew about the value of “text only” versions for centuries, but this was gradually forgotten in Catholic books. In 2018, the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal rediscovered what should never have disappeared in the first place!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Choral Eavesdropping” • 15 Sept. 2022

If you enjoy eavesdropping, here’s a rehearsal excerpt (mp3) of my volunteers singing the exercise I posted last week. This is the second time we’ve used it, and I can definitely hear improvement. You can download this choral warm-up for free.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Have You Done This?

Friends, have you done this yet? I’m talking about subscribing to our free mailing list. We beg you! Do this as soon as possible. Scroll to the bottom of any article, and you will see the place you input your email.

—Jeff Ostrowski