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Corpus Christi Watershed

We’re a 501(c)3 public charity established in 2006. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and run no advertisements. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors.

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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 5, 2014

PDF Download: Ordo Lectionum Missae & Ordo Cantus Missae

“…otherwise the entire Mass might be placed into the vernacular; whereupon the Council fathers burst into uproarious laughter.” — Cardinal Stickler speaking of Vatican II

Jeff Ostrowski · May 1, 2014

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Liturgical Translations

This is no hybrid: it’s an elegant, accurate, modern, unified English translation of the Graduale!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2014

Thirteen (13) Organ Accompaniments to “Missa de Angelis” (Mass VIII)

Free PDF downloads for “Mass of the Angels” organ accompaniments • Henri Potiron (1950), Achille Bragers (1937), Dr. Eugene Lapierre (1946), Franz Xaver Mathias (1906), Dr. Peter Wagner (1905), Monsignor Leo P. Manzetti (1906), Julius Bas (1906), and more+

Jeff Ostrowski · April 22, 2014

More unites us than divides us!

Musicians tend to be very “picky” people who don’t get along with one another.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 18, 2014

Proclaim the Passion in a “Theatrical” Manner?

Scripture at Mass is an act of worship: it is not purely didactic, nor is it a make-believe drama that we must re-enact with emotion.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2014

Live Recording — Small Choir of Ninth Grade Singers (October, 2006)

What can one say about the “Art of the Fugue” by J. S. Bach? Marvelous. Simply marvelous.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2014

Free PDF Download: The Fulton J. Sheen Sunday Missal (1961)

Archbishop Sheen did not produce this Missal alone: it was a joint effort by many, especially the Jesuit priests Rev. Philip Caraman and Rev. James Walsh.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2014

Preconciliar Missal Allowed Mass “Versus Populum”

These same exact rubrics have been found in Missals published in 1962, 1927, 1943, 1906, and 1886.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2014

Are Hymns Boring?

I love hymns … sung properly, that is!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 1, 2014

Courses In The Ward Method … This Summer!

This summer, the Catholic University of America is offering training in the Ward method.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 30, 2014

Audrey Hepburn, Fulton J. Sheen, & Church Singers Who Can’t Read Music

Do you direct choir members with flaws? Do you direct choir members who can’t read music? BE COMFORTED!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2014

“Turn Those Altars Around!” — Cardinal Lercaro, Consilium President (1965)

Could this be the missing link explaining why “versus populum” celebrations took over?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2014

“Confusion and Annoyance” — Pope Paul VI on the New Liturgy (1965)

“Previously it was enough to be there; now we must participate. Previously one could doze or perhaps even have a chat; but no longer; now one must listen and pray.” — Pope Paul VI, 17 March 1965

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2014

“The Most Beautiful Thing This Side Of Heaven”

A wonderful 18-minute sermon by Fr. Christopher Smith.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 24, 2014

What did Pope John Paul II think of the Cappa Magna?

The cappa magna has a five-meter-long train. Pius XII shortened it to 3 meters, but it’s said that John XXIII restored the ordinary length.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
    I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

The ratio of voices in modern choirs is usually wrong. Basses should be numerically greatest, then altos, then tenors, then sopranos. One good soprano can carry a high “A” against 30 lower voices.

— Roger Wagner

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  • PDF Download • Palestrina’s “Ave Maria”

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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.

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