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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 2, 2016

What Modern Man Cannot Ever Accept: SILENCE

“I believe that more and more people will start to come to this, if nothing else because they wish to find a way in their world to carve out quiet time.”

Jeff Ostrowski · May 1, 2016

Musical Resources • St. Joseph the Worker (1 May)

“Grant, O Lord, that what we have received may—by the intercession of blessed Joseph—crown our work and confirm our reward…”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 27, 2016

Propers for St. Joseph the Worker

This Sunday falls on May 1st, so the EF feast is “St. Joseph the Workman.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2016

Rehearsal videos • “Veni Creator Spiritus” (Fauxbourdon)

Modern ears don’t always enjoy the sound of extremely ancient music—do you?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 24, 2016

Musical Resources • Fourth Sunday after Easter (Extraordinary Form)

“…grant Thy peoples that they may love what Thou commandest and desire what Thou dost promise…”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 24, 2016

Our Lady’s Royal Ancestry • Gregorian Chant

“Richer than I you can never be—I had a Mother who read to me.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 23, 2016

Dazzling Canon • “Adoremus in Aeternum”

John Paul II: “For compositions of liturgical music, I make my own the general rule of St. Pius X…”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 22, 2016

Shocking Parallels By Guerrero

I’ve seen similar passages by Orlando Lassus.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 20, 2016

Benedictus & Hosanna • “Missa Beata Mater”

My friend was in charge of picking music for papal Masses under Pope St. John Paul II.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 19, 2016

“Catholic Choirmaster” • Fascinating Photo Taken 29 August 1964

CMAA was formed the same year “Inter Oecumenici” was issued by the Vatican.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 18, 2016

“No Time For Cowardice” • A Letter To Liturgy Columnists

Too many columnists focus endlessly on minutiae while leaving untouched a crucial issue.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 18, 2016

In Memoriam • Sister Clare Crockett

She passed away when the community’s house collapsed during the earthquake that hit the Ecuadorian coast on 16 April 2016.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 16, 2016

Musical Resources • Third Sunday after Easter (Extraordinary Form)

“O God, Who dost show the light of Thy truth to them that go astray…”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 16, 2016

Feeding Our Children Liturgical “Garbage”

Some of you know I’ve been extremely ill for more than two years…

Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2016

Picture • Pope Pius XII in St. Peter’s (Low Mass)

With a lovely chasuble!

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Season’s End Repertoire
    Looking at the REPERTOIRE SHEET until the end of the choral season, I see that I’ve fallen behind schedule. (The last three months have been extraordinarily busy.) As you know, I have been providing organ harmonies for all the ENTRANCE CHANTS—as well as rehearsal videos—and you can see I’m behind where I planned to be. Now I must make up lost ground. However, the choir picks up the ENTRANCE CHANT with ease, so I’m sure it will all work out. My ‘unofficial’ harmonizations are being posted each week at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
    From a mediæval Book of Hours, I was sent this glorious depiction of a Roman Catholic funeral procession by Simon Bening (d. 1561). The image resolution is extremely high. I’m not sure I know of a more beautiful illustration of a mediæval church. And I love how the servers are wearing red and pink cassocks!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“Young people have entrusted me with their absolute preference for the Extraordinary Form… […] But, above all, how can we understand—how can we not be surprised and deeply shocked—that what was the rule yesterday is prohibited today? Is it not true that prohibiting or suspecting the Extraordinary Form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death?”

— Cardinal Sarah to Edward Pentin (23 September 2019)

Recent Posts

  • “Translating the Bible” • Msgr. Ronald Knox (1953)
  • Season’s End Repertoire
  • PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
  • Re: The “Correct” Way To Sing Gregorian Chant
  • PDF Download • Ascension “Entrance Chant”

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