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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

Archives for December 2023

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2023

PDF • January 1st (Organ Accomp. Booklet)

Anyone who wishes to may download the Organ Accompaniment Booklet (22 pages) I created for FIRST VESPERS of January 1st. That feast has various names, including “In Octava Nativitatis Domini.” These organ accompaniment booklets take forever to make!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 30, 2023

Christmas • “Approached By A Famous Musicologist”

If you’re somebody who likes grandiloquence, you’ll prefer the description by Dr. Ellis.

Andrea Leal · December 29, 2023

Musical Resources • “The Season of Septuagesima”

My three (3) musical lineups include music by Henryk Botor, Kevin Allen, and Father Victoria.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 26, 2023

Jeff Ostrowski Attempts To Sing “Corde Natus”

“There were only two classes of men who heard the cry that night…” Fulton J. Sheen

Jeff Ostrowski · December 26, 2023

“Corde Natus Ex Parentis” (SATB)

A few minutes ago, I uploaded an English SATB version of “CORDE NATUS EX PARENTIS” (an ancient Christmas hymn by Prudentius). A nifty Latin version is also available. The quickest way to download either is to visit #668 in the Portal and scroll down to where it says: Additional information about Hymn 668. Many people […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2023

“Not Schmaltzy” • An Ancient Christmas Hymn

Sharing one’s opinions candidly is a quick way to make lifelong enemies.

Cynthia Ostrowski · December 20, 2023

“My Favorite Christmas Song” • Played by Dr. Carbonell and Fr. Justin Ward (Live Recording)

If one must have piano in church, this is the way to do it!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2023

How To Contact Corpus Christi Watershed

We thought you might enjoy reading messages we’ve received over the last few weeks.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2023

“Liber Usualis” • Jeff’s Proposed Modifications

In 1957, the Abbey of Solesmes publicly claimed copyright over “the rhythmic signs 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2023

Our Most Popular Download Ever? • (Advent Hymn)

The more I argued, the more Kenneth insisted that none of my objections were valid…

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Jeff Ostrowski · December 15, 2023

Mandatory Advent Piece

Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang “the mandatory piece” for ADVENT in these United States. Anyone interested can listen to the ‘live’ recording. The claim is sometimes made (erroneously) that this piece can be sung only during the final days of ADVENT. Such an assertion demonstrates a misunderstanding of where this piece came from and […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 14, 2023

“Silent Night” • Easy Organ Arrangement

Here’s a handy organ accompaniment (PDF) in three different key signatures: MIDDLE, HIGH, and LOW. The Latin lyrics (“Silens Nox”) are courtesy of Father Valentine Young, OFM (d. 2020). The organ harmonies are very simple, yet beautiful. Those who desire such a thing may also download a Singer’s Version. Choirs will ‘pick up’ this piece […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 13, 2023

Do You Recognize This Melody?

This morning, I attempted to record a hymn called BRISTOL. Click here to listen to what I produced. I’m trying to provide PIPE ORGAN RECORDINGS for any Brébeuf hymns which don’t (yet) have a choral recording. Thousands of rehearsal videos have been added—by real human voices—but there’s still more work to do. I know very […]

William J. Fritz · December 13, 2023

Recording Release! • Marenzio’s “Salve Regina”

I recorded my choir trying out the little “puzzle” (sent by Benedetti to Cipriano de Rore) to see whether the pitch would drift at all…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2023

PDF Download • “Münster Hymnal” (Harmony Edition) — 123 pages!

“As the organ plays, so does the congregation sing!” —From the Foreword

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Spectacular Communion Setting!
    The FAUXBOURDON setting of the Communion for the Baptism of the Lord (which will occur this coming Sunday) strikes me as quite spectacular. The verses—composed by the fifth century Christian poet, Coelius Sedulius—come from a long alphabetical acrostic and are deservedly famous. The feast of the LORD’S BAPTISM was traditionally the octave day of Epiphany, but in the 1962 kalendar it was made ‘more explicit’ or emphasized. The 1970 MISSALE ROMANUM elevated this feast even further.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 11 January)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (SUNDAY, 11 January 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon—to say nothing of the antiphon itself—are breathtaking. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the monumental feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of January (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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“With all the powers of modern music open to him, from romanticism through French impressionism to the German and Russian modernists, he is yet able to confine all these contradictory forces on the groundwork of the Gregorian tradition.”

— Theodor Rehmann (on Msgr. Jules Van Nuffel)

Recent Posts

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  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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