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Corpus Christi Watershed

We’re a 501(c)3 public charity established in 2006. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and run no advertisements. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors.

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Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for May 2023

Jeff Ostrowski · May 29, 2023

Re: Ancient Sequence (Thursday after Pentecost)

A priest saw her article and provided—for the first time in history—a literal English translation!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 27, 2023

PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”

If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It’s based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by […]

Keven Smith · May 27, 2023

The Choir Journal: A Choir Director’s Best Friend

Keep a repository of your choir-related thoughts and feelings. You’ll thank yourself someday.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · May 26, 2023

“Are Church Musicians Paid Enough?” • 5 Solutions

With a digression on Corrinne May’s upcoming presentation.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 24, 2023

Analysis • “Archaic and Quack Ideas on Chant”

“Gentlemen: Nobody is going to follow the archaic and quack ideas on Chant you are trying to propagate.” Mr. John Sandar

Jeff Ostrowski · May 23, 2023

“Singing Advice” • Frank Sinatra to Ronald Reagan

Did Dom Mocquereau compose any official plainsong pieces included in the official edition? He did!

Daniel Tucker · May 22, 2023

Musician, Know Thy Theology!

Dear reader, it is up to you to ensure that the theological content of the music at your parish is faithful to the unchanging teachings of the holy Catholic Church.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2023

Introit • (This Coming Sunday)

Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here’s my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2023

“Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” • (Hymn)

My colleague, Patrick Williams, has given me permission to share with our audience a recording his choir made.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2023

Sacred Music • Inspiring Letter From “Jane Doe”

Letters like this prove there are still awesome people in this world!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2023

Understanding “Bewitched” Can Help You Appreciate Classical Music

There was no explanation given for why “Darrin Stephens” was suddenly a completely different person.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Third Response to Patrick” (16 May 2023)

I don’t think our readers are interested in what we say about Gregorian rhythm—they’re interested only in what we can demonstrate.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”

My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year’s Sacred Music Symposium. If you’re interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

PDF Download • César Franck Book of Gregorian Chant Accompaniments (156 Pages)

“The organ is so universally used as an accompanying instrument today that there is a pressing need to provide a written accompaniment…” —César Franck

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2023

FEEDBACK • 15 May 2023

From a reader in New Hampshire: “I just love your articles and resources! You provide an excellent resource!”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
    I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“It is most important that when the faithful assist at the sacred ceremonies … they should sing alternately with the clergy or the choir, as it is prescribed.”

— ‘Pope Pius XI, Divini Cultus (20 Dec 1928) §9’

Recent Posts

  • Luis Martínez Must Go!
  • Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
  • PDF Download • “Gospel Acclamation” for 29 June (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)
  • “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
  • Available! • Free Rehearsal Videos for Agnus Dei “Mille Regretz” after Gombert (d. 1560)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.

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