• 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 · February 26, 2022

FEEDBACK • 25 February 2022

We love receiving mail from our readers. Here are two messages we received today from two different music directors in Canada: (1) “We are a small Schola in Yukon, Canada and love your practice videos repertoire.” (2) “Thank you so much for the indispensable work that you are doing to rebuild the musical life of […]

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2022

PDF Download • Missa Philomena (Philippe Verdelot)

This music is from a much earlier period; and you can tell.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2022

“Common” Hymn Tunes? • Another Example

The first text is for the “pre-Lent” season…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2022

Cardinal Cupich’s Diocese • “What Mass Looks Like”

The “primary cross” for most young men has to do with temptations against the 6th Commandment.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 22, 2022

PDF Download • No More OCP “Breaking Bread”

This powerful response—by a Catholic priest—is without question one of the most fascinating things I’ve ever read.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 19, 2022

A Fugue that “explains” itself

One of my choir members sent me this Ontological Fugue. If you can get past the performance—which is terrible (perhaps on purpose)—you will learn an awful lot about fugues. In my opinion, whoever created that score is a genius! It would be awesome to know from a professional theorist, such as Charles Weaver, whether they […]

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2022

Eucharistic Hymn • By a Jesuit Martyr Priest

English has words whose meanings directly contradict each other (such as “cleave” or “sanction”).

Jeff Ostrowski · February 16, 2022

Sound superb! … with just 2 minutes of rehearsal

I’m someone who harbors an irrational fear of anything I’m not familiar with.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 13, 2022

“Alleluia” • Gone For Good?

Two days ago, Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London (Ontario) released a rigid decree. Much could be said, but let’s take just one item. Bishop Fabbro demands that everyone adhere to “the celebration of Mass as found in the new Roman Missal (2011).” Then, in the very next sentence, he rigidly demands that all priests celebrate […]

Jeff Ostrowski · February 12, 2022

Attention! • “15,283 Signatures … More Needed”

I’m generally against online petitions, but here’s the thing…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2022

Breaking! • Bishop Lobsinger Forbids Spanish and French (for Confession & Last Rites)

Spanish may no longer be used (starting 3/6/2022) for the Sacrament of Confession or the Last Rites.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 8, 2022

Ruth Slenczynska & “Traditionis Custodes”

Bishop Arthur Roche recently sent out puzzling instructions which encourage “Ordinary Form” Catholics to ostracize and belittle those who prefer the Traditional Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2022

Fr. Fortescue • “Sequences”

Originally, the Sequence began as farcing of the long neum at the end of the ALLELUIA (the “jubilus”), as did the alleluiatic verse. This does not mean that all the notes of our sequences were originally neums of a jubilus; but once the idea was admitted, numberless sequences were composed and added at this point. […]

Jeff Ostrowski · February 4, 2022

Seriously? • Bishop of Lexington Insists the Dominican Rite Never Existed (!)

These problematic assertions by Bishop Stowe will have to be withdrawn at some point.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · February 1, 2022

“Sample Pages” • Campion Missal (2022 edition)

Sophia Institute Press has made a huge announcement regarding the 3rd edition.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 61
  • Page 62
  • Page 63
  • Page 64
  • Page 65
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 181
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Much of the reordering [in 1970] of the pieces of the Roman Gradual seems arbitrary and useless; nevertheless, with some exceptions, it does not affect the shape of the service, since like pieces are exchanged for like.”

— Dr. William Peter Mahrt

Recent Posts

  • Children’s Repertoire • Three More Recommendations by Keven Smith
  • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
  • Latin Liturgy Association
  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 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.