• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
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 · October 23, 2015

Musical Resources • Feast of Christ the King (Extraordinary Form)

“And all the kings of the earth shall adore Him; all nations shall serve Him…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2015

PDF Download • “Christ The King Hymnal” (1955)

An extremely rare Canadian hymnal produced by Rev. Aloysius Knauff.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2015

Watershed Turns Nine Today!

Talking about perennial truths doesn’t get as many “clicks” as provocative headlines or character assassination.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2015

Beautiful Photo Of Blessed Pope Paul VI

The entrance procession from his coronation.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2015

Yikes! Even The Monastery Of Solesmes

Did you notice how they carefully deleted all the beautiful artwork?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2015

Musical Resources • 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“…in Thine infinite mercy, O Lord, restore our souls to health…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2015

Watershed Needs Your Help To Continue!

“Watershed has been extremely helpful and has brought so much solace and support…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 15, 2015

What? Sundays after Pentecost?

Be careful this year.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 14, 2015

When Choirmasters Despair

No matter how superb your music program is…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2015

Kyrie XI • Gregorian Chant

I’ve wrongly neglected this famous chant.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2015

Musical Resources • 20th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“May these mysteries, we beseech thee, O Lord, bring us from heaven a healing medicine…”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 10, 2015

The Week In Review

Seven random thoughts…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 7, 2015

Sloppy 1953 Schwann

The “white notes” (as Dr. Joseph Lennards called them) are quite sloppy, which really took me by surprise.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2015

Worst Song Ever?

What Church musicians can learn from “Friday” by Rebecca Black.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2015

Loading Choir Binders For Sunday (4 October)

The life of a choirmaster is a life of sacrifice…

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 140
  • Page 141
  • Page 142
  • Page 143
  • Page 144
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 185
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
    The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.
    —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

The People’s Hymnal suffers from a too literal and awkward translation. And even in the lovely Slovak “Memorare” in The Saint Gregory Hymnal we are still asked to sing “that anyone who sought thee, or made to thee his moan.” Why not “groan” or “bone” or even “phone?” The only thing necessary, it seems, is that it rhyme with “known.”

— Mons. Francis P. Schmitt (1958)

Recent Posts

  • 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.”
  • PDF • “Standard Gregorian Chants for Schools, Churches, Seminaries, & Convents” (1946) —123 pages

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.