• 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
    • “Let the Choir Have a Voice” (Essay)
  • 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 · July 27, 2023

Did You See This? (27 July 2023)

In case anybody missed it, we recently updated our editorial policy. Our website continues to grow in popularity—Deo gratias! Therefore, it seemed appropriate to ‘codify’ what we’ve been doing for the last few years.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 26, 2023

Know Anybody Famous?

It’s really humbling—and also very cool—to come across examples of how acclaimed several of my colleagues are. I was doing some research for a recent post and came across (!) one of our contributors in a place I was not expecting. You can see which one if you click here and scroll towards the middle […]

Jeff Ostrowski · July 25, 2023

William F. Buckley and Solesmes Abbey

Confirmed: Full archives of “Triumph” (a 1960s Roman Catholic magazine) are available online!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 25, 2023

Splendid Repertoire for (Reduced) Summer Choirs!

Here’s a technique you must try with your choir.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 23, 2023

What Charles Weaver Did (!)

Dr. Weaver kindly made me aware of something stupendous. Created by Abbat Pothier’s assistant and approved by his successor (about ten years after his death), it’s a KYRIALE, GRADUALE, and VESPERALE: 2,000 pages long! It’s in Gregorian notation on five staves and marks each mora vocis. Here’s a photograph of the “Puer Natus” INTROIT taken with my […]

Jeff Ostrowski · July 21, 2023

Why Is Catholic Music So Embarrassing? • Four “Levels” To Fix The Problem!

In 1994, the most powerful mainstream Catholic music organization published a song about the “enlightenment of Buddha.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 20, 2023

More Than A Chart!

I’ve received many compliments about a comparison chart which was part of a recent article I posted. I feel flattered by these kind words, but I would like to point out that my chart doesn’t make much sense unless one reads the entire article.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2023

Fancy, no?

We have updated our donate by check window. Pretty fancy, no? When possible, we try to do things in an “artistic” way.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Fourth Response to Patrick” (19 July 2023)

Twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to conduct a week-long interview with Dom Cardine’s former boss.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 18, 2023

Rude Priests, Rude Deacons, Rude Ushers, Rude Parishioners, Rude Choristers, Etc.

Unless I’m mistaken, this charming piece can be played on organ manuals alone.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2023

PDF Download • 3-Voice “Agnus Dei” + Suggestions to Improve Music at Ordinary Form Masses

Should music at the Ordinary Form be identical to music at the Extraordinary Form?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 11, 2023

Desperate Plea from Jeff Ostrowski

The president of Corpus Christi Watershed has made another urgent appeal. It was released on TUESDAY, 11 July 2023. Thank you for your consideration, your generosity, and your love!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 5, 2023

“A Patriotic Hymnal” • (Not Kidding!)

“Hymns for the Use of the Catholic Church in America” was published in Baltimore more than 200 years ago.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 30, 2023

“Six Suggestions” • Working with Volunteer Choirs

One priest on this committee said something I’ll never forget…

Jeff Ostrowski · June 30, 2023

“Counter-Melody” for a Hymn Tune…

Jeff Ostrowski has added a “counter-melody” to CUPERTINO, a hymn tune composed by Kevin Allen. You can download the Organist Score (PDF), which doubles as the vocalist score. You can also hear Jeff’s volunteer choir sing that “counter-melody” version in real life by clicking here.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 50
  • Page 51
  • Page 52
  • Page 53
  • Page 54
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 191
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Just before he left Letchworth, as he well knew to meet his death, he turned and bade good-bye to his little church, and silently kissed the altar-stone on which he had so frequently offered Mass.”

— From the life of Father Adrian Fortescue

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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.