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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 · July 20, 2015

“Sacred Vs. Secular Music” • Fr. John C. Selner

“…like man, Mary, you are IN—really cool among women.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 20, 2015

Is Renaissance Music Too Expressive For Holy Mass?

“To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 18, 2015

Church Needs “Disposable Art” Created To Last “Not Centuries, But Weeks (Or Hours).”

Fr. Robert W. Hovda argues that “Little Green Apples” can be sung during Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2015

Musical Resources • 8th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

“The master in this Gospel is praising, not the wrongful act of the unfaithful steward, but the peculiar astuteness with which he makes friends who will be useful when things go amiss.” (Maredsous N. T.)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 16, 2015

Is Latin Impossible For Choirs?

When priests came into Bishop Trautman’s office asking permission, he would start speaking Latin to them.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 15, 2015

“Asperges Me” • Gregorian Chant

In the Extraordinary Form, the “Asperges Me” is only used on Sundays.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 14, 2015

1951 Solemn Pontifical Field Mass • With 100-Voice “Palestrina Cathedral Choir”

Following the Mass, Archbishop Joseph H. Schlarman was made an honorary Indian chief.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2015

SATB “Kyrie Eleison” • Henri Durieux

It’s extremely short and not difficult—yet fresh & gorgeous.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2015

The Day Fulton J. Sheen Made A Mistake

“Sheen told a friend of mine that anything he’d ever said of significance was taken from either Knox or Chesterton.” —Fr. George Rutler

Jeff Ostrowski · July 10, 2015

“You Will Now Feel These Interior Sentiments…”

Can you imagine a liturgical commentator standing at the front of Church declaring something like that?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2015

Musical Resources • 7th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

The organist will play softly at the Offertory.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 8, 2015

Beware Of Microphones!

My mother was present during that Mass and recorded some brief snippets on her iPhone.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 7, 2015

UGLY • Just Plain, Old-Fashioned Ugly

Have you noticed that contemporary music was not forced upon congregations the same way contemporary architecture was?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 7, 2015

Short, Fresh, & Beautiful • SATB “Ave Maris Stella”

This piece by Fr. Antonin Lhoumeau will knock your socks off!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 6, 2015

The Beauty Of Ancient Catholic Manuscripts

Medieval manuscripts were normally created by (at least) two monks: one drew, one wrote.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Spectacular Communion Setting!
    The FAUXBOURDON setting of the Communion for the Baptism of the Lord (which will occur this coming Sunday) strikes me as quite spectacular. The verses—composed by the fifth century Christian poet, Coelius Sedulius—come from a long alphabetical acrostic and are deservedly famous. The feast of the LORD’S BAPTISM was traditionally the octave day of Epiphany, but in the 1962 kalendar it was made ‘more explicit’ or emphasized. The 1970 MISSALE ROMANUM elevated this feast even further.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 11 January)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (SUNDAY, 11 January 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon—to say nothing of the antiphon itself—are breathtaking. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the monumental feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of January (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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Been to Catholic church and heard Mass. Execrable music! Organ played by a young girl who made impossible harmonies. Sermon very long. The preacher screamed loud enough to tire his lungs. The congregation was affected.”

— Louis Moreau Gottschalk (8 May 1864)

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  • Bach’s Psychotically Awesome Walking Bassline

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