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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

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · May 21, 2020

“Jesu Nostra Redemptio” • Ancient Hymn for the Ascension translated into English!

Did you know every Mass is a celebration of our Lord’s Ascension? — Here’s proof.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2020

New Harmonies! • “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King”

It’s hard to believe, but Father Knauff’s “Christ the King Hymnal for Congregational Singing” (1954) omitted this hymn!

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2020

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniments (Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament)

Including O SALUTARIS (“O Saving Victim Opening Wide”) and TANTUM ERGO (“Down in Adoration Falling”) in Latin and English.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2020

Can’t Decide Which Hymn Tune To Use?

My brain can’t accept the approach chosen by this “Graduale”…

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2020

What Did Palestrina Look Like?

Father Lawrence Lew, OP, is perhaps the world’s greatest photographer.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2020

Does Gregorian Chant ever skip a 7th?

I’ve really been enjoying singing from the Père Daniel Kyriale (126 pages), which is a fabulous little book. I had no idea it would turn out so nicely—incredibly useful, and the printing is super crisp. I noticed something quite strange the other day: Kyrie X (an extremely ancient chant) contains a skip of a seventh. […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 12, 2020

We love getting messages like this one…

“I am a 25-year-old organist and cantor from the mountains of Northern Colorado. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your friends for working hard to bring excellent content to your website and my inbox. I have found many, many awesome resources to help me stay faithful to the Church’s stance and […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2020

How to properly sing “Alleluia” in Eastertide (1962 Missal)

The way to “repeat” Alleluia during Eastertide confuses many people.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 11, 2020

A B C D F etc. — An Ancient “Alphabetical” Hymn

This hymn by Caelius Sedulius (Christian Poet from the 5th century) has been translated into English by a Catholic priest.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 9, 2020

Wedding Homily (7 min) by Fr. Valentine Young

“The late Archbishop Sheen once pointed out how the Greeks in their language had three different words for love…”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 7, 2020

Stunning Harmonies! • “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above” (Hymn #783)

This has been called the “incomparable and indispensable” hymnal for Catholics.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2020

What is the “Ordinary” of the Mass?

A few years ago—during the Sacred Music Symposium—I suggested to the audience that the “Our Father” and the “Alleluia” should be considered part of the Ordinary of the Mass (for the Ordinary Form). In my own settings, such as Mass of the English Martyrs, I treated the “Our Father” accordingly—and here in Los Angeles, we […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2020

Blog Contributors Speak About A “Favorite” Piece

This is a good way to get to know several contributors a little better!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 5, 2020

“Pange Lingua” translated into English • Hymn by Saint Thomas Aquinas

I predict this smooth harmonization will go down in history—it fits the voice perfectly.

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 2, 2020

The best 5 seconds in Gregorian Chant…

“No concession should ever be made for the singing of the Exultet, in whole or in part, in the vernacular.” — Fr. Augustin Bea

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”
    Yesterday morning, I recorded myself singing the ENTRANCE CHANT for Pentecost Sunday while simultaneously accompanying myself on the pipe organ. Click here to see how that came out. At the end of the antiphon, there’s a triple Allelúja and I just love the chord at the end of the 2nd iteration. The organ accompaniment—along with the musical score for singers—can be downloaded free of charge at the flourishing feasts website. For the record, the antiphon on Pentecost Sunday doesn’t come from a psalm; it comes from the book of Wisdom.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Quick Thoughts

    “Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”
    Few musicians realize that various English translations of Sacred Scripture were granted formal approval by the USCCB and the Vatican for liturgical use in the United States of America. But don’t take my word for it! Here are four documents proving this, which you can examine with your own eyes. Some believe the words “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee” were forbidden after Vatican II—but that’s incorrect. For example, they’re found in the English translation of the ‘Our Father’ at Mass. Moreover, the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) mentioned in those four documents employs “Thine” and “Thou” and “Thee.” It was published with a FOREWORD by Westminster’s Roman Catholic Archbishop (John Cardinal Heenan).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

Random Quote

“Participation” in the Mass does not mean hearing our own voices. It means God hearing our voices. Only He knows who is “participating” at Mass. I believe, to compare small things with great, that I “participate” in a work of art when I study it and love it silently.

— Evelyn Waugh

Recent Posts

  • Inspiring Paper from a Graduating High School Senior
  • Entrance Chant • Before or After Opening Hymn?
  • “Unfair Characterization” • (But Good Question)
  • “Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”
  • PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”

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