Views from the Choir Loft

William Mahrt Gregorian Chant

Andrea Leal · May 28, 2025

“The Adalbert Propers” • Six (6) Quotations

“Fewer than 1% of Catholics are able to answer these questions correctly.” —Andrea Leal

Jeff Ostrowski · January 22, 2025

“Remembering William Mahrt” • My interview with Dr. Horst Buchholz (21 January 2025)

Includes Dr. Buchholz’s obituary for William Mahrt: “A Gentleman, a Scholar, and a Friend”

Fr. David Friel · January 2, 2025

In Memoriam • Dr. William Mahrt

A brilliant and faithful man who had tasted heaven in the chants of the Church

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2021

Missa “My Little Pony” by Dan Schutte • Its Pedigree

A USCCB statement: singing psalms at Mass “may create problems” … ?

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Fr. David Friel · May 9, 2021

Virtual Sacred Music Colloquium 2021

Alongside many familiar faces, several new presenters are joining the faculty this year.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Fr. David Friel · October 12, 2020

Sacred Music Boot Camp 2020

Three days of practical chant instruction and immersion in the treasury of Catholic sacred music

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Fr. David Friel · June 11, 2020

Virtual Sacred Music Colloquium 2020

The CMAA will offer a virtual version of its annual, week-long workshop.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Fr. David Friel · September 8, 2019

PDF Download • Chant Notation—Nuptial Blessing (EF)

With permission from the CDF, the nuptial blessing at a sung EF Mass may be chanted according to this melody.

Fr. David Friel · August 30, 2015

Society for Catholic Liturgy Conference 2015

Featuring Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Dr. William Mahrt, and Fr. Uwe Michael Lang

Jeff Ostrowski · February 4, 2015

Exclusive Interview With Dr. William Mahrt

Towards the end I ask the CMAA president a loaded question … and he answers!

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “14 September 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 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed