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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

“Prelim. Details” • Sacred Music Symposium 2025

Corpus Christi Watershed · January 8, 2025

HAT IS IT that distinguishes our Sacred Music Symposium from other conferences? One thing would be the heartfelt and powerful testimonies—hundreds of them—written by those who have attended. We encourage everyone to read those testimonies, posted at this website. Many participants traveled more than 6,000 miles to attend. Another thing that distinguishes our event is its purpose. Our conference is laser-focused on providing “hands-on” instruction for Catholic musicians.

This Year’s Theme • Indeed, the theme selected for 2025 is: “HOW TO AVOID COMMON PITFALLS FOR PARISH CHOIRS.” Too many parish choirs don’t sound as nice as they could (partially due to paltry and unjust salaries paid to choirmasters). We’re here to help! This year we provide practical tips to survive & thrive in an extremely challenging vocation. We know of no other church music conference attempting anything like what we have planned this year. You’re going to love it!

Four (4) Items To Remember:

(1) Confirmed Dates • Our conference will take place 23 June 2025 through 29 June 2025. Most participants will probably arrive on Sunday evening (22 June) or Monday morning (23 June). All the Monday events—which take place in the evening—aren’t required. That’s because we understand unforeseen delays sometimes occur when it comes to travel.

(2) Masses We Will Sing • As always, our conference is designed for both forms. We will sing for Mass in the EXTRAORDINARY FORM on Saturday (28 June 2025) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We will sing for Mass in the ORDINARY FORM on Sunday (29 June 2025) in Muskegon, Michigan.

(3) Location • The training sessions will take place in Muskegon, Michigan. It is less than a 3 hours’ drive from Detroit. It is a 4 hours’ drive from Indianapolis. It is less than a 3 hours’ drive from Chicago. The church hosting us has world-class acoustics.

(4) Further Details • Further details are forthcoming. Very soon, you will be able to sign up! We released the dates on 2 December 2024, but today we are reminding you—in case you haven’t marked them on your calendar.

If you have special requests—in terms
of courses you’d like us to offer—
now is your last chance! Send your
ideas to: dom.mocquereau@gmail.com

This film explains our conference:

Direct URL to the promo video.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Sacred Music Symposium, Sacred Music Symposium 2025 Last Updated: January 8, 2025

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President’s Corner

    “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

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor, and to do all We can to promote its study and use. The employment of Latin has recently been contested in many quarters, and many are asking what the mind of the Apostolic See is in this matter. We have therefore decided to issue the timely directives contained in this document, so as to ensure that the ancient and uninterrupted use of Latin be maintained and, where necessary, restored.”

— Pope John XXIII (22 February 1962)

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  • “Gregorian Chant Isn’t a Platform for Your Personal Theories, Jeff” • (A Letter We Received)
  • Request From Australia
  • PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

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