Views from the Choir Loft

Rafael Merry del Val

Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2025

Re: “Abuse of Catholic Church Musicians”

Listening to yourself singing isn’t fun—but it’s crucial if you wish to improve.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 12, 2024

Internet Trolls + Cardinal Merry Del Val

We sometimes receive messages which…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2024

PDF Download • “Extremely Rare Biography!” — Raphael Cardinal Merry Del Val (272 Pages)

I’ve been patiently waiting to release this since the summer!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2024

Anybody Want This Prayer?

I posted this on social media. Tons of people requested a copy…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 15, 2024

Josquin Des Prez Was A Vandal • (Not Kidding)

Also included: the day my life changed forever.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2023

What Exactly Is Dr. Peter Wagner Talking About?

“These manuscripts had to be sought out in the public or capitular libraries, whose conservators were often hardly supportive of—if not outright hostile to—the reproduction of their treasures.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 12, 2022

“By day 4, tears were running down my face.”

“The symposium was like nothing I have ever experienced.” — South Dakota Participant

Jeff Ostrowski · June 26, 2022

Our Daily Prayer • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

“My God, my Father, and my All, I am ready and willing to accept from Thy hands this day…”

Using “Ye” Vs. “You” Correctly

Using “Ye” vs. “You” is rather tricky, because it depends upon which era one is trying to recreate—if that makes any sense. In other words, the rules haven’t always been the same for these two. Nevertheless, Father Philip George Caraman (the legendary Jesuit scholar) gives us a masterclass using Saint Luke’s Gospel. Father Caraman was close friends with Monsignor Ronald Knox, Evelyn Waugh, and Sir Alec Guinness.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”

My pastor asked me to write brief articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The most recent article speaks about the recent announcement by Pope Leo XIV, which does have an impact on church musicians. Scheduled for publication on 2025 08 10th, it’s called: “Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Chants” • 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

All the chants for 3 August 2025—which is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)—have been added to the feasts website, as usual under a convenient “drop down” menu. The COMMUNION ANTIPHON (from the book of Wisdom) is stunning. That feast website has been called “the best kept secret of Church music.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed