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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 · October 14, 2025

PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir

An example that’s truly great art, yet still within their reach.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 13, 2025

Important Quote by a Church Musician

My friend is a highly-placed musician at the Vatican.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2025

Fulton J. Sheen Played The Pipe Organ!

Sheen would occasionally display his skill on the organ to his friends.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2025

“Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 9, 2025

PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday

Anyone know why the Book of Esther was chosen? That same section of Esther was chosen for last Sunday’s Introit.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 8, 2025

Why A “Fugue” Here?

I think you will agree about this.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 7, 2025

“Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest

Once upon a time, Catholics were supposed to attend Mass within their “parochial boundaries.”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 6, 2025

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

Those responsible for preparing parish bulletins may wish to…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 6, 2025

“Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

Since a new month has arrived, it’s my pleasure to remind you that…

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2025

“American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)

This one book contains and memorializes every horrible idea from the 1980s.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2025

Involving Women in the Communion?

Not long ago, I received a weird telephone call from a man appointed “director of music” for a large USA diocese.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2025

“Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2025

Kids’ Choir Sings Thomas Aquinas

Last Sunday, a children’s choir I’m teaching sang with us for the first time.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2025

Prex • Particularly Powerful

“O God, who dost mend what is shattered, and what thou hast mended, ever dost preserve…”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 30, 2025

Good News From The Vatican

This concerns you!

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

Recent Posts

  • 2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
  • PDF Download • Christmas Piece (SATB) — “Angels We Have Heard on High” with Text in Latin
  • “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
  • A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant
  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs

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