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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

Archives for March 2024

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2024

“Strangest Of All…” • (Fortescue)

In his illustrious 1912 tome—The Mass: A Study Of The Roman Liturgy—Father Adrian Fortescue spoke of sequences, writing: “Strangest of all were the vernacular sequences in France and Germany, or those partly vernacular and partly Latin.” Our volunteer choir experimented with that on Holy Thursday, mixing Latin verses with an English refrain. For the record, […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2024

“Saint Felix Creed” • Musical Setting for the Nicene Creed (Roman Missal, 3rd Edition)

Dedicated to my brother, Father Mark Ostrowski.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2024

Good Friday’s Dazzling (and Ancient) Hymn

Visit a random church on Sunday morning and ask parishioners basic questions…

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2024

“Stabat Mater Dolorosa” • Four (4) Choral Settings

With a digression on ‘drab’ modern architecture.

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 25, 2024

“Spotted in the Wild” • (CCWatershed Members)

This clip was sent to us. The conductor is Martin Baker!

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 25, 2024

Clarence Thomas Speaks About The Eucharist

Justice Clarence Thomas attended the seminary for several years, including “Conception” (north of Kansas City).

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2024

William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”

Working with volunteers can be discouraging, but always remember there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday, during PALM SUNDAY MASS, our 100% volunteer choir pulled out the SANCTUS from William Byrd’s “Mass for Five Voices.”  This colossal performance was the result. (They literally didn’t know I was going to have them sing that […]

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 24, 2024

PDF Download • “Holy Week Music Schedule” • Saint Mary’s in Norwalk, Connecticut

Expect to hear Morales, Palestrina, Victoria, Pierre de la Rue, Tallis, Haydn, Gounod, Rovetta, Lassus, Byrd, Senfl, Taverner, Wingham, and more.

Fr. David Friel · March 23, 2024

Book Review: Good Music, Sacred Music, and Silence

Becoming Missionaries for the Beautiful

Jeff Ostrowski · March 22, 2024

“Victimæ Paschali Laudes” • Thirty-One (31) Different Versions — Including Organ Accompaniments

This version by Father Adrian Fortescue is fascinating!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 22, 2024

“Reprehensible Chrism Mass” • (Do Not Click)

A disturbing video sent to us from the Diocese of Superior (Wisconsin).

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2024

Church Music • “The Female Voice”

Msgr. Leo Manzetti foolishly wrote: “Church musicians, when experts in vocal art, agree that women’s voices are effeminate, sensuous, and operatic, hence un-churchly.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 18, 2024

“Simplified” Accomp. (1,700 downloads)

The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 1,700 times in a matter of hours. Therefore, folks seem interested in such a project.

Dr. Charles Weaver · March 16, 2024

Response to Jeff: Rhythmic Signs Again

I propose that we consider Dom Pothier’s method without making an unnecessary appeal to authority.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2024

Jeff Ostrowski Attempts to Sing the Easter Introit

I opted for the Church’s official rhythm.

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment”
    Over the past few years, I’ve been harmonizing all the vernacular plainsong Introit settings by the CHAUMONOT COMPOSERS GROUP. This coming Sunday—10 May 2026—is the 6th Sunday of Easter (Year A). The following declaration will probably smack of “blowing my own horn.” However, I’d rank this accompaniment as my best yet. In this rehearsal video, I attempt to sing it while simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ. The musical score [for singers] as well as my organ accompaniment can be downloaded free of charge from the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 4 May 2026
    A few days ago, the CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED Facebook page posted this Gregorian Chant quiz regarding a rubric for the SEQUENCE for the feast of Corpus Christi: “Lauda Sion Salvatórem.” There is no audience more intelligent than ours—yet surprisingly nobody has been able to guess the rubric. Drop me an email with the right answer, and I’ll affirm your brilliance to everyone I encounter!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Rare Photographs” • Hannibal Bugnini
    On 2 September 2025, we included in this article extremely rare photographs of Archbishop Hannibal Bugnini taken in Iran circa 1979. Bugnini had initially been banished by the pope to Uruguay, but he refused to obey. [This is interesting, since Bugnini relied upon ‘blind obedience’ when it came to modifications of the ancient liturgy.] After he refused to obey the order from the pope, Hannibal Bugnini was banished to Iran. You can also watch a short video of Hannibal Bugnini in Iran, dated 10 November 1979. That’s about a week after the USA embassy hostage crisis began in Tehran, and Pope Saint John Paul II had sent the leader of the Iranian Revolution a special letter.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of May (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 Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)
    I published an article on 11 November 2023 called Wedding March For The Lazy Organist, which rather offhandedly made reference to a simplified version I created in 2007 for Pachelbel’s Canon. I often use it as a PROCESSIONAL for weddings and quinceañeras. Many organists say they “hate” Pachelbel’s Canon. But I love it. I think it’s bright and beautiful. I created that ‘simplified version’ for musicians coming to grips with playing the pipe organ. It can be downloaded as a free PDF if you visit Andrea Leal’s article dated 15 August 2022: Manuals Only: Organ Interludes Based on Plainsong. Specifically, it is page 84 in that collection—generously offered as a free PDF download. Johann Pachelbel (d. 1706) was a renowned German organist, violinist, teacher, and composer of over 500 works. A friend of Bach’s family, he taught Johann Christoph Bach (Sebastian Bach’s eldest brother) and lived in his house. Those who read Pachelbel’s biography will notice his connection to two German cities adopted as famous hymn tune names: EISENACH and ERFURT.
    —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

Random Quote

“Dom Pothier does not belong to the dim past, as the silence which surrounds his name would lead one to believe. Only a few years separate us from the time when—growing old and heavily burdened by trials—Dom Pothier was concentrating his ever keen attention on the study of manuscripts in the Belgian place of retreat where his community had found refuge. For he was the abbot; and there can be no doubt that the cross he wore during those days was a cross of sorrow, though he bore it with a smile.”

— Dom Ermin Vitry, OSB (31-OCT-1936)

Recent Posts

  • “Reminder” — Month of May (2026)
  • “Englished” Gregorian Chant • 5 Considerations
  • Simplified Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)
  • PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment”
  • “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 4 May 2026

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