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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

Traditional Catholic Hymnals

Jeff Ostrowski · August 24, 2021

Church Musicians: The Revolution Starts Today!

Do what’s right, say your prayers, offer each day to Jesus Christ, and hold your head high!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2021

Live Recording • “Jesus My Lord, My God, My All”

Vernacular hymns at Communion during EF High Mass—your thoughts?

William J. Fritz · December 17, 2020

(Installment #15) “Catholic Hymnals” • William Fritz

To (re)Harmonize a Hymn—“Anima Christi” by Dr. Theodore Marier

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Andrea Leal · November 18, 2020

(Installment #14) “Catholic Hymnals” • Andrea Leal

I stand behind it to the extent that I have even volunteered to record several practice recordings, for which I have never received—nor will I ever receive—a single cent.

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Lucas Tappan · November 10, 2020

(Installment #13) “Catholic Hymnals” • Lucas Tappan

We can sometimes be so caught up in advancing Gregorian chant that we fail to remember that every single age in the history of the Catholic Church has seen forms of popular religious music…

Veronica Moreno · November 7, 2020

(Installment #12) “Catholic Hymnals” • Veronica Moreno

A Catholic homeschooler shares her preparations for hymn study for the upcoming Advent season. She presents pieces from deep in the Brébeuf Hymnal, one from fond memories at her Catholic school, and closes with bells intoning the “Angelus”.

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Dr. Alfred Calabrese · November 3, 2020

(Installment #11) “Catholic Hymnals” • Alfred Calabrese

Book Review: “The First Christian Hymnal”

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Christopher Mueller · October 6, 2020

(Installment #10) “Catholic Hymnals” • Chris Mueller

Father Rutler makes five crucial points.

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Corrinne May · September 16, 2020

(Installment #9) “Catholic Hymnals” • Corrinne May

I searched through the pages and could not find any reference to who put this hymn compilation together—although it seems to have been created about 30 years ago…

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Cynthia Ostrowski · September 15, 2020

(Installment #8) “Catholic Hymnals” • Cynthia Ostrowski

According to Bishop Sheen: “Christianity, unlike any other religion in the world, begins with catastrophe and defeat.”

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Richard J. Clark · September 8, 2020

(Installment #7) “Catholic Hymnals” • Richard J. Clark

“Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Canticles”—the most influential post-conciliar hymnal—was never distributed by any large publisher!

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Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2020

(Installment #6) “Catholic Hymnals” • Jeff Ostrowski

How to avoid that sickening feeling when you realize nobody—and I mean nobody—in the congregation knows the hymn you picked!

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Dr. Gregory Hamilton · September 3, 2020

(Installment #5) “Catholic Hymnals” • Dr. Gregory Hamilton

The word “hymn” is one of the earliest music words in all languages…

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Charles Weaver · September 2, 2020

(Installment #4) “Catholic Hymnals” • Charles Weaver

On how tunes change over time, with a reflection on the sacred duty of hymn editors.

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Keven Smith · August 31, 2020

(Installment #3) “Catholic Hymnals” • Keven Smith

Top 10 Features • “An Ideal Extraordinary Form Hymnal”

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Veronica Brandt · August 28, 2020

(Installment #2) “Catholic Hymnals” • Veronica Brandt

“For every hymn which is unequivocally denounced as ‘schmaltzy’ expect to find someone for whom that hymn is what sustained them through a particularly bleak time.”

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Patrick Torsell · August 26, 2020

(Installment #1) “Catholic Hymnals” • Patrick Torsell

Five tips for rousing, inspiring hymn playing!

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Guest Author · June 7, 2020

“Comparison” • 15 Traditional Catholic Hymnals

Covid-19 has forced many parishes to remove all hymnals from their pews: A perfect opportunity for change!

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Catholics in America have been the heirs of a sentimental and subjective hymn tradition that, for some reason or other, has taken a deep and fast hold on the fancy of the average person.”

— Fr. Francis Brunner (1953)

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