Views from the Choir Loft

Jogues Illuminated Missal Lectionary Gradual

Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2015

Improve Your Parish Liturgy … Instantly!

Have you noticed the change in atmosphere when people dress fancy, as opposed to tank tops with jeans?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2015

“What Must Be Sung Is The Mass” • Susan Benofy

“For decades there were virtually no musical settings for the Propers in English.” —Susan Benofy

Jeff Ostrowski · January 8, 2015

“The best I have ever seen. Anywhere. In the world. Period.” —Mr. John Sonnen

“The vitality of the Classical Rite is as fresh as ever.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 4, 2014

Fr. Christopher Smith Weighs In

“Why am I excited? Well, every year we spend about $4,000 on those paperback missalettes…”

Fr. David Friel · October 12, 2014

The Society for Catholic Liturgy

Two Contributions from CCW Bloggers

Jeff Ostrowski · August 2, 2014

How Dare We Complain?

Can you imagine trying to feed your family in the year 1300AD?

Guest Author · July 23, 2014

Like Eve in the Garden

“The fruit in my hands was not forbidden but simply forgotten.” — Fr. Brent Maher

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2014

Sensational Review Of The Jogues Illuminated Missal By Dr. Peter Kwasniewski

Rigorous and Resplendent Review of the Jogues Illuminated Missal.

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 22, 2014

HOME VIDEO • Jogues Illuminated Missal

Jeff discovered that making an impromptu video is harder than he thought!

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 21, 2014

SAMPLE PAGES • Jogues Illuminated Missal

These Mass texts are “3L” : Large, Lovely, Legible … silly sounding, but true!

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

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