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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Feast of the Holy Family

Jeff Ostrowski · December 27, 2024

“Music List” • Feast of the Holy Family

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” I have prepared for the Feast of the Holy Family.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 12, 2024

“O Magnum Mysterium” • Do You Sing This?

The Consilium of Pope Paul VI asked (15 March 1965): “Is it pleasing that the feast of the Holy Family be suppressed?”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2023

Which Hymnal Did Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Endorse?

Musicians can have a stronger voice than even the legendary Fulton J. Sheen!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2021

PDF Download • “Essential Liturgical Chart”

I’ve never spent as much time creating a Liturgical Chart as I did for this one.

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2020

Feast of the Holy Family • Where did it come from?

The Consilium asked (15 March 1965): “Is it pleasing that the feast of the Holy Family be suppressed?” • Discussion of the First Sunday After Epiphany; the Feast of the Holy Name; the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord; the two (2) instances of different “Jubilate Deo” Offertories which repeat; “Abhinc Duos Annos” (23 October 1913); and many other items+

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Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2017

Major Problems with “Holy Family” Feast

This feast has been moved *four times* since it was created in 1893…but that’s not my problem.

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President’s Corner

    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
    About a month ago, I created a simplified keyboard accompaniment for “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”—the famous ADVENT hymn—using a melody called CROSS OF JESUS. It was soon downloaded more than 1,000 times. As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for the belovèd Epiphany hymn “Bethlehem! Of noblest cities” (O Sola Magnarum Urbium) by clicking on this link (PDF file). 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.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Psalm Tone Challenge!
    Many readers know that Tone 1a3 is the most difficult PSALM TONE in the 1962 books (and isn’t called for very often). But what about very short verses—which is the absolute most concise you know? The shortest PSALM TONE segment I know would be the fourth verse (PDF) from Psalm 44, used during Matins at Christmas. It’s literally one word long. If you know a more minuscule one, please email me!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“After the Second Vatican Council, the impression arose that the pope really could do anything in liturgical matters, especially if he were acting on the mandate of an ecumenical council. Eventually, the idea of the givenness of the liturgy, the fact that one cannot do with it what one will, faded from the public consciousness of the West.”

— Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Recent Posts

  • “Puer Natus in Béthlehem” • (Added Fifths)
  • Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
  • How Does The Vatican “Rhythm” Actually Sound?
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
  • “Adeste Fideles” • Too Many Translations!

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