• 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 · January 20, 2014

Positive Liturgical Fruits Of Vatican II: First Part

In some respects, the Second Vatican Council did not go as far as Pius XII went in 1958 regarding active participation of the faithful.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2014

Does This Cartoon Sound Rude?

The intention is to get people thinking about why we substitute our own choices for the texts assigned by the Church at Entrance, Offertory, & Communion.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2014

Msgr. Francis P. Schmitt Reviews the NOH (1958)

“We know of Vatican accompaniments, not so expert as these, that have been junked because they were Vatican. Apparently no one has junked these and no one is likely to.” — Msgr. Schmitt

Jeff Ostrowski · January 13, 2014

Top Ten “Oops” Quotes On Sacred Music

“… we would be faced with the necessity of providing different sets of missals for different strata of intelligence.” — Msgr. Francis P. Schmitt (1963)

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2014

Common side effects of Crestor (AstraZeneca)

I was given Crestor to lower cholesterol. I took a pill each night for 2.5 weeks.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 7, 2014

Which Translations Do You Prefer? Literal Or Poetic?

I never thought I’d say this … but I agree with Paul Inwood.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2014

How Artwork Should Be Integrated In Liturgical Books For The Laity

Practically speaking, how might a Catholic be edified by artwork?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2014

Initial Response To Pope Francis’ Recent Actions Regarding Monsignori

What? You never heard of the “horse barn” mentality?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2014

When Is The Sequence Sung? Before The Alleluia?

In 2000, there was an effort made at restoring the Sequence to its proper place.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2013

Aren’t Altar Missals Required To Print The Latin Alongside The English?

Are we “the most highly educated laity in the history of the church” capable of making our moral decisions without substantive Church guidance … or are we idiots who can’t figure out what “dew” is?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 29, 2013

Bugnini Wanted To Eliminate Ash Wednesday!

They failed to realize that one cannot simply “sit down over tea and crumpets” and VOTE INTO BEING the Church calendar. It’s supposed to develop organically.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 26, 2013

The Liturgical Style of Pope Francis & John 12:5

Pope Francis is no Judas Iscariot!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2013

From CCW President’s Desk: Merry Christmas!

Any good we are able to accomplish here at Corpus Christi Watershed is only thanks to your kindness and generosity!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2013

“Ministerial Creativity” by Bishop Donald Trautman

“In the United States we have a very healthy understanding of liturgy. We know something about liturgy, and I think we’re doing it rather well.” — Bishop Trautman (October 2005)

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2013

Nothing Ordinary About It: The Mass Proper as Early Music Jigsaw Puzzle

Doug Shadle has published an article on the Catholic Mass Propers.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 169
  • Page 170
  • Page 171
  • Page 172
  • Page 173
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 185
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
    About a month ago, I created a simplified keyboard accompaniment for “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”—the famous ADVENT hymn—using a melody called CROSS OF JESUS. It was soon downloaded more than 1,000 times. As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for the belovèd Epiphany hymn “Bethlehem! Of noblest cities” (O Sola Magnarum Urbium) by clicking on this link (PDF file). 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.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Psalm Tone Challenge!
    Many readers know that Tone 1a3 is the most difficult PSALM TONE in the 1962 books (and isn’t called for very often). But what about very short verses—which is the absolute most concise you know? The shortest PSALM TONE segment I know would be the fourth verse (PDF) from Psalm 44, used during Matins at Christmas. It’s literally one word long. If you know a more minuscule one, please email me!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is 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

Random Quote

“The Second Vatican Council has not been treated as a part of the entire living Tradition of the Church, but as an end of Tradition, a new start from zero. The truth is that this particular council defined no dogma at all, and deliberately chose to remain on a modest level, as a merely pastoral council; and yet many treat it as though it had made itself into a sort of superdogma which takes away the importance of all the rest.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger (speaking formally as head of the CDF)

Recent Posts

  • “Puer Natus in Béthlehem” • (Added Fifths)
  • Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
  • How Does The Vatican “Rhythm” Actually Sound?
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Epiphany Hymn)
  • “Adeste Fideles” • Too Many Translations!

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2026 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.