Views from the Choir Loft

Organ Accompaniments

Jeff Ostrowski · May 24, 2025

“Gloria in Spanish” • Free Accompaniment

Several people have requested this.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2021

PDF Booklet • First Sunday of Advent Vespers (Organ Accompaniment) — Draft Copy

It may be an ugly booklet, but it got the job done yesterday.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 25, 2021

PDF Download • Pentecost Sequence In English! — Gregorian Notation w/ Organ Accompaniment

Does plainsong work in English? It actually can!

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Jeff Ostrowski · June 2, 2021

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniments for “Lauda Sion Salvatorem” (Sequence)

“Man cannot understand this, cannot perceive it; but a lively faith affirms that the change—which is outside the natural course of things—takes place.” (Ladua Sion, v12)

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2021

“Veni Creator Spiritus” + Organ Accompaniment • with English Translation by Fr. Fortescue

Did you realize there are two versions of this famous hymn?

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2021

PDF Download • 1954 “Bragers Hymnal”—Accompaniment Edition (131 pages)

We have scanned this extremely rare hymnal, granted Imprimatur by Francis Cardinal Spellman on 15 February 1954.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 9, 2020

PDF Download • “Veni Creator Spiritus” Organ Accompaniment (Each Verse Notated)

Accompaniment to the hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus” with all the verses written out (composed by Jeff Ostrowski).

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 8, 2016

“Tantum Ergo” • Eleven (11) Harmonizations

Do you know what the “Tantum Ergo” means, word for word?

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?

—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

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.

—Jeff Ostrowski