Views from the Choir Loft

Does CCW Matter? Some Messages…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 10, 2018

We only exist because people from all over the world donate $5.00 per month.

Some messages we have received:

Keep on doing what you do; despite criticism.

Thanks for all the work you do for our Lord; and for His Church! It matters so much.

Keep the traditions as St Paul had admonished Holy Mother Church; no matter the battle we face. May Mother Mary protect you and may God bless you.

May God Bless your efforts to restore our Liturgical Patrimony; particularly Sacred Music; to its rightful place. The practice videos for the Propers of the TLM are what are most helpful to me; and any additional efforts in adding more Feast days is greatly appreciated!

God bless you for all you do. Wish we could do more to help.

I rely on CCW for all my Latin Mass info; God Bless you. Ours is the only parish in the Diocese that offers a weekly TLM.

Admire your work over the years.

Previous pastor at St. Jude; Martin TN; now at Ascension; Memphis TN. Music director at my new church is delighted to discover there is a more beautiful alternative to the dreadful OCP “Respond and Acclaim.”

I love your work. Please use this small donation however you can to make the Church better.

Thank you for all you do for the Church! Happy Advent.

I have wanted to do this for a long time; but just today noticed you use Cornerstone and not PayPal. So thank you for that better alternative for Catholics.

Though I spent almost all of my four decades as organist in Protestant churches; I appreciate so much your dedication to dignified music for the Catholic Church. I enjoyed “reading through” at the computer the Flor Peeters chant accompaniments. I played many of his hymn and chant settings; and once attended a recital he gave in NYC.

Many many thanks for all your hard work.

Please consider donating $5.00 per month.

If you want CCW to receive the highest percentage of money, use Cornerstone instead of PayPal.

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

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).

“Reminder” — Month of April (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)

Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simply click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”

The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)

On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski