Views from the Choir Loft

Gregorian Chant

Fr. David Friel · July 6, 2014

Colloquium Update IV

The Glories of A Single Proper

Richard J. Clark · May 30, 2014

Mass in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea

Michael Olbash’s “Mass in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea” demonstrates the mandate of Pope Saint Pius X that music for the liturgy be Sacred, Beautiful, and Universal.

Richard J. Clark · March 5, 2014

Misereris omnium | Ash Wednesday Introit

Few parishes are willing to sing Gregorian Introits for the Entrance Procession, but it is SIGNIFICANT that the very first Introit of Lent sings of God’s infinite MERCY.

Veronica Brandt · March 1, 2014

Preparing for Lent

Renewing the adventure of exploring Gregorian chant by making recordings.

Veronica Brandt · February 22, 2014

Color by “Neum”ber

A Gregorian chant workbook for kids (there’s one for adults too).

Richard J. Clark · February 7, 2014

Disparagement Is Not Helping the Cause of Liturgical Reform

Disparagement is not catechesis. It is destructive. If we are to catechize and evangelize, we must put God first, not our own preferences. Meanwhile, we must catechize and strive for the ideal.

Fr. David Friel · February 2, 2014

Youth in Favor of Sacred Music

Not a Negligible Niche

Fr. David Friel · January 10, 2014

Is Chant Just for Old-Heads?

The NY Frassati Fellowship Chant Workshop

Fr. David Friel · December 1, 2013

Chant Behind Bars

Might Chant Scholas Flourish in Prisons?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2013

Uh Oh … How do you spell “Ressurection” ?

The new Gregorian Missal (Solesmes, 2012) is a marvelous book.

Guest Author · November 2, 2013

“In Medio Ecclesiae” Album Release

The Dominican House of Studies schola has just released its first album, In Medio Ecclesiae, under the aegis of the newly founded Dominicana Records. The album is available now for download at www.dominicanablog.com/records; CD purchase coming soon.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2013

The Secret “Mora Vocis” of the Vatican Edition

Here are seven (7) videos explaining how to sing according to the rhythm of the Editio Vaticana (Vatican Edition) created by Abbot Pothier at the request of Pope Pius X.

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 13, 2013

Gregorian Chant Chironomy Video

What’s it like to attend the Sacred Music Colloquium?

Season’s End Repertoire

Looking at the REPERTOIRE SHEET until the end of the choral season, I see that I’ve fallen behind schedule. (The last three months have been extraordinarily busy.) As you know, I have been providing organ harmonies for all the ENTRANCE CHANTS—as well as rehearsal videos—and you can see I’m behind where I planned to be. Now I must make up lost ground. However, the choir picks up the ENTRANCE CHANT with ease, so I’m sure it will all work out. My ‘unofficial’ harmonizations are being posted each week at the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”

From a mediæval Book of Hours, I was sent this glorious depiction of a Roman Catholic funeral procession by Simon Bening (d. 1561). The image resolution is extremely high. I’m not sure I know of a more beautiful illustration of a mediæval church. And I love how the servers are wearing red and pink cassocks!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”

Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.

—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