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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 13, 2019

($54,000 per year) • FSSP San Diego Seeks Choirmaster

It seems Fr. Lyons offered the position to a candidate who later decided not to accept.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2019

“How To Begin Choir Practice” • (A Suggestion)

How one *begins* a rehearsal is crucial.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 11, 2019

Photographs • Père Daniel Kyriale (126 pages)

The beauty of the Gregorian Kyriale cannot be stopped—and Saint Antoine Daniel is the perfect patron for this!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2019

PDF Download • “Alleluia Choral Extension” (EF + OF)

This may look simple on paper, but it sounds *incredible* when sung by a full choir. Guerrero rocks!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2019

When People Lie About Hymns Unwittingly

As a young man, I came into contact with an organist who claimed there was no such thing as a “Recessional,” insisting that I was wrong and foolish to use that term.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 7, 2019

Revealed! • A Fascinating Mass Rubric Very Few Know

“How surprised people would be next Sunday to see the direction being carried out!” —1943 article

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2019

Do You Know Credo VII ??

A wonderful medieval Credo, published with “Imprimatur” from 1924.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 3, 2019

The 1961 Code of Rubrics • Pope St. John XXIII

I would not argue with someone who called this document curious, or even bizarre; it was only in effect for a few years • Also: “Should the Sanctus and Benedictus be split in the Traditional Latin Mass?” • This “Extraordinary Form” question is treated meticulously with full documentation going back 150 years+

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 · September 2, 2019

I. Was. Dead. Wrong.

Setting the record straight.

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.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
    Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

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

“I left music college swearing never to write another note again … It was during the mid-1980s when esoteric and cerebral avant-garde music was still considered the right kind of music to be writing.”

— James MacMillan

Recent Posts

  • Every Artist Needs a Refuge
  • Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
  • “The Unselected Hymn” • Do You Recognize It?
  • 2026 Sacred Music Pilgrimage (Washington DC) • With Richard J. Clark
  • “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)

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