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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Vespers

Jeff Ostrowski · May 13, 2024

Organ Accomp. • “Ascension Hymn at Vespers”

The soul-stirring hymn used on ASCENSION THURSDAY at Vespers—and also used on the Sunday which follows the Ascension—was called in the 7th century: “Jesu Nostra Redemptio.” After 1631AD, the title of that hymn was changed to “Salutis Humanae Sator.” The melody assigned by the Vatican Commission on Gregorian Chant is rather mournful (and very difficult […]

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2023

PDF Download • “Quinquagesima Sunday” Organ Accompaniment Booklet (25 pages)

The word “Alleluia” changes to: “Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 15, 2023

PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment Booklet” (25 pages) — Vespers, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

The internet is putting good people in touch with one another.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2022

Available Now! • 4th Sunday of Advent

Those who so desire may now download this organ accompaniment booklet (25 pages) for the 4th Sunday of Advent, including the “O ANTIPHON” for 18 December 2022.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 7, 2022

PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment Booklet” • Vespers (3rd Sunday of Advent) — 23 pages

Were Pothier and Mocquereau homeless? The answer might surprise you.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 12, 2022

PDF Download • “Sunday Vespers” (22 pages)

In spite of its imperfections, creating this (draft) booklet required much more effort than I had anticipated.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 12, 2022

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 […]

Jeff Ostrowski · June 5, 2022

PDF Download • (Organ Accompaniment)

I created this organ accompaniment booklet for organists who will accompany Vespers on Pentecost Sunday. Feel free to download it; it might give you some ideas or inspiration. Be warned: It looks pretty sloppy. (The organist is the only one who sees it.)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2022

PDF Download • 2022 “Vespers Booklet” (99 Pages)

If you spot typos, please let us know!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2022

100% Scrolling Score • “What Exactly Is Vespers?”

For those who have never experienced Vespers, an answer like that comes across as “gobbledygook.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2021

PDF Download • Vespers Organ Accompaniment — “Our Lady of Guadalupe” (12 December)

Vatican II said: “Pastors must see to it that Vespers is celebrated in parishes on Sundays and the more solemn feasts” (SC §100).

Dr. Charles Weaver · October 24, 2021

PDF Download • Commemorating Dr. Fayrfax

A massively underrated composer died 500 years ago today.

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 14, 2021

PDF Download • “Vespers Booklet” (15 August, Assumption) — 20 pages

Also included, an organ accompaniment (23 pages) for this booklet.

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 2, 2021

“What is Vespers?” • Live Rec. + 100% Scrolling Score

After more than a year of Vespers having been forbidden (due to Covid-19) we’re back!

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Jeff Ostrowski · July 31, 2021

(29 Pages) • Free Organ Accompaniment Book — Draft copy

The following is what I will use to accompany the congregation tomorrow.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short 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 latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“It was amusing to read in our papers that German Catholics were now using the vernacular at High Mass. In some parts of Germany they have been doing just that for well-nigh four hundred years! The cathedral in Osnabruck has solemn High Mass every Sunday with the whole chapter present, and the introit Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei are sung … in German. Imagine, for four hundred years almost!”

— Hans Ansgar Reinhold (Dec. 1944)

Recent Posts

  • The Real Miracle of Gregorian Chant
  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

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