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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Sheet Music

Keven Smith · July 27, 2020

Ubi Caritas Goes Viral: My Thoughts

Have you seen the viral video of four men singing Ubi Caritas in a stairwell? Here are some thoughts on this phenomenon.

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Fr. David Friel · June 4, 2017

Thoughts on Benedict

St. Benedict, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and “Ars Celebrandi”

Fr. David Friel · April 30, 2017

Masterful “Salve Regina” by 17th-Century Portuguese Composer

This is the sort of setting that could only have derived from faith and grown out of the experience of praying these words repeatedly and fervently.

Fr. David Friel · January 30, 2017

In Defense of the Organ Postlude

Newly-published reflections from Professor Kwasniewski.

Fr. David Friel · January 30, 2017

In Defense of the Organ Postlude 1

Newly-published reflections from Professor Kwasniewski.

Fr. David Friel · January 22, 2017

Motet for Three Voices: “O Crux Ave” 1

This piece is ideal for use as a motet during the veneration of the Holy Cross at the Good Friday liturgy.

Fr. David Friel · October 27, 2016

New Sacred Music Magazine — “Altare Dei”

Announcing the first issue of a brand new publication focusing on liturgy and sacred music.

Fr. David Friel · January 24, 2016

Motet for Three Voices: “O Crux Ave”

This piece is ideal for use as a motet during the veneration of the Holy Cross at the Good Friday liturgy.

Veronica Brandt · February 7, 2015

Motets and Midi practice tracks

The search for practice tracks for Jesu Rex Admirabilis yielded a treasure trove of choir resources.

Veronica Brandt · January 3, 2015

Easy Organ Hymns for Catholics

There is a built in tendency for nervous musicians to rush things – I think as your heart beats faster, your perception of time is dilated. As you build more confidence your sense of timing improves too.

Fr. David Friel · August 10, 2014

Important Resources for Liturgical Reform (3 of 7)

Public Domain Scores & Published Resources

Veronica Brandt · January 18, 2014

Introducing polyphony in a round about way

Canons are a handy way to introduce singing in harmony. Here are some picks from the Choral Public Domain Library.

Veronica Brandt · September 28, 2013

Holy Michael Archangel

Not one, but two hymns that the omniscient Google didn’t know about, in honour of St Michael the Archangel, with sheet music.

Veronica Brandt · August 17, 2013

A hymn for St Mary of the Cross

A beautiful hymn from Rev Fr Popplewell FSSP from Canberra, Australia.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

6 January 2021 • Anglicans on Plainsong

A book published by Anglicans in 1965 has this to say about Abbat Pothier’s Editio Vaticana, the musical edition reproduced by books such as the LIBER USUALIS (Solesmes Abbey): “No performing edition of the music of the Eucharistic Psalmody can afford to ignore the evidence of the current official edition of the Latin Graduale, which is no mere reproduction of a local or partial tradition, but a CENTO resulting from an extended study and comparison of a host of manuscripts gathered from many places. Thus the musical text of the Graduale possesses a measure of authority which cannot lightly be disregarded.” They are absolutely correct.

—Jeff Ostrowski
2 January 2021 • Temptation

When I see idiotic statements made on the internet, I go nuts. When I see heretics promoted by people who should know better, I get angry. Learning to ignore such items is difficult—very difficult. I try to remember the words of Fr. Valentine Young: “Do what God places in front of you each day.” When I am honest, I don’t believe God wants me to dwell on errors and idiocy; there’s nothing I can do about that. During 2021, I will strive to do a better job following the advice of Fr. Valentine.

—Jeff Ostrowski
31 December 2020 • “COMITES CHRISTI”

The feasts for Saint Stephen Proto-Martyr (26 December), Saint John the Evangelist The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (27 December), and the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December) seem untouched by any liturgical reforms. These are very powerful feasts—I believe they once possessed octaves—and I believe they could sometimes “overpower” a Sunday feast. The rules for octaves in the olden days are extremely complex. These feasts are sometimes referred to as a single entity as: Comites Christi (“Companions of Christ”). This is just a guess, but there seems to be a triple significance: STEPHEN martyred after Christ lived, JOHN was a martyr who knew Christ personally, and the HOLY INNOCENTS were martyred before Christ’s birth.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To treat harmony and rhythm in this matter was a difficult matter. Facing numerous problems both large and small—that arose constantly—we understood that a flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— ‘Mons. Jules Van Nuffel, NOH Preface’

Recent Posts

  • “Homily for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany” (EF) • Father Valentine Young, OFM
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  • Catholic Choirmasters • Never Fall For This!
  • 6 January 2021 • Anglicans on Plainsong

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