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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 · September 2, 2019

PDF Download • Handy Solfège Chart (Printable)

I have no idea whether this will be of use to anyone, but here it is…

Jeff Ostrowski · August 19, 2019

Brébeuf #182 • “Creator Alme Siderum” (Advent)

Most people know this one as “Creator of the stars of night.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 16, 2019

Symposium 2019 • “Video Outtakes”

Like any other human, I go through difficult times—this conference was a source of strength.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 7, 2019

Brébeuf #465 • “Christ Ist Erstanden” (In Latin!)

We posted rehearsal videos in English the other day—now they’re given in Latin!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 6, 2019

Brébeuf #661 • “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

It’s okay to start thinking about Advent, which will be here before we know it.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 3, 2019

Brébeuf #379 • “Quem Terra” (Melcombe)

One of the most popular melodies in Catholic hymnals of yesteryear.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 1, 2019

PDF Download • “Sanctus For Two Voices”

“In general, it is better to do something well, however modest, than to attempt something on a grander scale if proper means are lacking.” —Pope Pius XII

Jeff Ostrowski · July 30, 2019

Brébeuf Hymn #464 • “Christ ist erstanden”

The text of this hymn is the Church’s oldest Latin Eucharistic hymn, translated by Fr. Adrian Fortescue.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 25, 2019

The Day Music Theory Failed Me

Readers already know I believe in the value of Music Theory…

Jeff Ostrowski · July 24, 2019

Brébeuf Hymn #517 • “Veni Redemptor Gentium”

This recording was completed last night (23 July 2019).

Jeff Ostrowski · July 20, 2019

Brébeuf Hymn #156 • “Christe Redemptor”

The Soprano line was sung by a young lady in the 8th grade—and she did very well.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 18, 2019

Can Girls In The 2nd Grade Sing SATB Hymns?

If a girl in the 2nd grade can learn it after hearing it only a few times, I believe everyone is capable of learning it.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2019

“For of all sad words of tongue or pen…”

…the saddest are these: “It might have been!”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2019

(Individual Parts) • New Hymn by Richard J. Clark

During the Symposium, a wonderful young lady from Las Vegas taught students how to create multi-track recordings.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2019

Hymn Harmony: Fifty Examples—Good and Bad!

We will not be considering musically absurd examples from the past.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with 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
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
    On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“We must remember that the important elements of a rite are not the things that will first be noticed by a casual and ignorant onlooker—the number of candles, colour of the vestments and places where the bell is rung—but just those things he would not notice: the Canon, fraction and so on, the prayers said in a low voice and the characteristic but less obvious rites done by the celebrant at the altar.”

— Fr. Fortescue explaining that Anglicanism does not preserve Sarum

Recent Posts

  • PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
  • Should Catholics Sing Protestant Christmas Carols?
  • PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
  • What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
  • “He never had a single day of conflict with anyone.”

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