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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

Christmas • When Jackie Gleason Broke Character (Updated)

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2016

ATERSHED OWES so much to supporters like you. Below is a small Christmas gift I hope you’ll enjoy. It’s the conclusion of a HONEYMOONERS episode; the only one in which Gleason steps out of character:


Gleason had something to teach choirmasters. He avoided over-rehearsing his cast. He believed things turned out better that way. A good choirmaster knows when to “hammer” something hard during rehearsal—but avoids rehearsing a piece so much the choir begins to hate it.

LEASON AND HIS CAST made live performance seem so easy & natural. Few realize how diligently Gleason had to work to produce such phenomenal results. The same is true of the choirmaster. We do so many things and make so many decisions we’ll never get credit for—our jobs are incredibly demanding.

I know we can become discouraged, but I have some good news.

In order to understand the good news, you must first learn about Jerry Seinfeld, who was a master of “situational comedy.” To be clear, I have nothing against Seinfeld; and he’s quite good at situational comedy. But there’s more to his story. Seinfeld was incredibly successful and soon reached the highest echelon of his profession. He was rich and powerful. He did whatever he wanted. 1 But in a recent interview, Jerry Seinfeld said that—after attaining those heights—his life lost all meaning. He ended his show and “basically played pool” (his words) for about two years. But his life still had no meaning. So Seinfeld began working again—and said something terrifying about this! He said that, in his opinion, the meaning of life is a “hard day’s work,” when you come home totally exhausted from working so hard.

We Roman Catholics know better. We know the meaning of life is absolutely not throwing ourselves into “work” (whatever “work” might be).

I know we can sometimes feel discouraged as choirmasters. We often suffer tremendously and deal with major frustrations. But “say not the struggle naught availeth.” Let Jerry Seinfeld be our reminder that nothing can replace our longing for God: not money, not fame, not power, not work. As St. Augustine said, “Our hearts were made for Thee, O Lord; and they are restless until they rest in Thee.” When you’re near the end of your rope, rejoice that you have something worth fighting for—namely JESUS CHRIST, His Church, and your eternal salvation!

UPDATE :   (24 December 2016)

I forgot something important. When we’re “too close” to the choir, we can become convinced things sound bad. However, that’s not always true. I recently found an old recording by my high school girls (circa 2009), which—at the time—I thought was severely flawed. When I listen after all these years, I must admit it doesn’t sound horrible:

    * *  Mp3 • High School Girls’ Choir (“Tantum Ergo”)

My little son likes to bring me pine cones, which he carefully collects. It may not seem like much, but it means everything to me. In the end, our offerings to God are like his pine cones. God doesn’t need them, and doesn’t need us. At the same time, they are priceless in His eyes!



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   When Seinfeld was 39 years old, he dated a 17-year-old girl (still in high school) named Shoshanna Lonstein. Sadly, our celebrity-obsessed culture tolerates such inappropriate things. It was not always so, but that’s another story.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

“Père Joseph Gelineau represented everything that had gone wrong with the Church since the new liturgists had gained control.”

— Jean Langlais

Recent Posts

  • “The Injustice of Traditionis Custodes” • (Private Meetings at the Vatican)
  • New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
  • PDF Download • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)
  • Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
  • “Music List” • 23rd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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