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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

Guest Author

Guest Author · September 1, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “The Counter Tradition”

Guest submission (1 September 2023) by Alasdair Codona of Glasgow, Scotland.

Guest Author · April 13, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “The Hidden Dactyl”

“Perhaps surprisingly, not one word of three syllables in the ancient Easter sequence ‘Laudes Salvatori voce’ is sung to the rhythm of a dactyl.” —Alasdair Codona

Guest Author · October 21, 2020

Heresy du Jour? • (Orig. Published in 2019)

In the early XIXth century the Duke of Wellington, speaking of infantry battles, is said to have exclaimed, “All soldiers run away. The good ones come back.”

Guest Author · July 5, 2020

Saint Eulalia Gradual • Guest Article by Josh Carey

“This has been extremely successful in my parish, and I plan to continue until I’ve set the entire church year.” —Joshua D. Carey

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Guest Author · July 1, 2020

“Choral Singing post-COVID” • Perspectives from a Hong Kong Doctor & Chorister

A package of measures to keep choral singing safe.

Guest Author · June 29, 2020

Chanting and Spiritual Health

In a time of contagion and social unrest, we need plainchant more than ever, even when we stay home.

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Guest Author · June 7, 2020

“Comparison” • 15 Traditional Catholic Hymnals

Covid-19 has forced many parishes to remove all hymnals from their pews: A perfect opportunity for change!

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Guest Author · September 18, 2019

Catholics Get The “Chants” of a Lifetime…

“I was expecting a lot, and it was more than I expected,” Sutherland said.

Guest Author · July 25, 2019

Jennifer D. Behnke • “Brébeuf Hymnal Review”

“How I love the multiple settings of each text, which can be interchanged as required by seasonal and festal usage.” —Maestro Behnke

Guest Author · June 3, 2019

Heresy du Jour?

Under such circumstances, what should the believer do?

Guest Author · January 26, 2019

New! • Organ Scholarships at Christendom College

Christendom College will offer up to $5,000 for students starting in the Fall of 2019.

Guest Author · October 5, 2018

Success! • Sacred Music Retreat in Ohio

Immersion in what defines our very purpose as members of the choir.

Guest Author · September 17, 2018

Guest Article • “Composing a Responsorial Psalm”

What makes for a good responsorial psalm setting? Is it mere singability, a catchy tune, or something more?

Guest Author · July 30, 2018

Expectations Exceeded at the Symposium!

“If you occasionally share a habit of mine for getting stuck in one style, take new inspiration here!” —Miss Phoebe Wing

Guest Author · May 27, 2018

Marian Concert: Carmelite Sisters and Credo Choir

The Carmelite Sisters at Santa Teresita rarely sing for the public.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Much of the reordering [in 1970] of the pieces of the Roman Gradual seems arbitrary and useless; nevertheless, with some exceptions, it does not affect the shape of the service, since like pieces are exchanged for like.”

— Dr. William Peter Mahrt

Recent Posts

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  • PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
  • The Real Miracle of Gregorian Chant
  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall

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