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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 · April 11, 2025

PDF Download • “Communion” (Holy Thursday)

Its verses are quite beautiful.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2025

“Ubi Caritas” • Knox Translation (1950s)

What a treasure!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2025

“Music List” • Palm Sunday

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

Jeff Ostrowski · April 9, 2025

PDF Download • “Offertory” (Palm Sunday)

Some believe that “joyful” texts sound happy in Gregorian Chant and “sad” texts sound mournful.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 8, 2025

“And the Chief Priests…” (Palm Sunday)

“And the chief priests made a plot against Lazarus’ life too…”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2025

“Articles for Bulletin” • Saint Mary’s in Muskegon

This series is for Saint Mary’s in Muskegon.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2025

Re: The “Restoration” of the Easter Vigil

It’s a strange type of “restoration” that rejoices over innovations that never existed before.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2025

Yesterday’s Offertory • ‘Live’ by 2 Young Women

A large choir isn’t necessary to have dignified music at Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2025

The 1970s Liturgical Wasteland

“In a sense we need ‘disposable’ music, created to last not centuries, but weeks (or hours).” —Father Hovda

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2025

“Reader Feedback” • 7 April 2025

A reader in Poland writes…

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2025

“Music List” • 5th Sunday of Lent

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

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2025

Best-Kept “Secret” of Church Music?

Some have called it that.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 4, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • 5th Sunday of Lent

The Latin words are rendered so beautifully by Monsignor Knox.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 3, 2025

Cool Symbolism

That’s pretty awesome!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 31, 2025

Regarding “Pay-To-Pray” + Lectionary Errors

Many decisions, even those with monumental consequences, were made in secret.

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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

“When we force a boy to be a mediocrity in a dozen subjects we destroy his standards, perhaps for life.”

— C. S. Lewis

Recent Posts

  • Luis Martínez Must Go!
  • Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
  • PDF Download • “Gospel Acclamation” for 29 June (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)
  • “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
  • Available! • Free Rehearsal Videos for Agnus Dei “Mille Regretz” after Gombert (d. 1560)

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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.

The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!

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President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)

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