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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 · July 14, 2022

“Truly Wonderful Quote” • Dr. Roger Wagner

“Never apologize for your choir, because they’re as good as you are!”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2022

“To go to Mass together will be the light of Sunday for a family.” — Pope Benedict XVI (2005)

Statement by Pope Benedict XVI • Saint Peter’s Square (October, 2005)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 12, 2022

PDF Download • “Sunday Vespers” (22 pages)

In spite of its imperfections, creating this (draft) booklet required much more effort than I had anticipated.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 11, 2022

11 July 2022 • FEEDBACK

Someone who heard the CCW plainsong recordings with NOH accompaniment says: “For years I have travelled the continents and crossed the oceans of Gregorian chant in search of a composition and interpretation as sublime as this. The text and the melody are interwoven in a game of mirrors with the interpreters, the singer and the […]

Jeff Ostrowski · July 11, 2022

Gregorian Chant • Its “True” Rhythm

I’m dumbstruck (with joy) to see that my recent video presentation on plainsong rhythm has garnered quite a number of “views” on VIMEO. I also made the full presentation available on YouTube, and—as I write these words—it has collected 700+ views. How cool is it that folks are still interested in the rhythm of Cantus […]

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2022

“Do You Know This Hymn Composer?” • Orlando Gibbons (d. 1623)

Installment 2 • “How Has Nobody Done This Before?” (series)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 8, 2022

“I’ll be back next year … but with my entire choir!”

“The symposium exceeded all of my expectations.” — Pediatrician, Choirmaster, and Mother of Six Children

Jeff Ostrowski · July 2, 2022

Across the Pacific • Alto is “Raving”

From Asia: “I held choir rehearsal yesterday and one of the choir members (singing Alto) was just raving about how she loved the layout of the Brébeuf Choral Supplement because she didn’t have to look up and down for both music and verse—and she loved the ease with which she could sing her part because […]

Jeff Ostrowski · June 30, 2022

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant: “Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and […]

Jeff Ostrowski · June 29, 2022

“How Has Nobody Done This Before?” • First Installment

I’ve been encouraged to launch a new series!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 29, 2022

“Exceeded Every Expectation!” • Mr. O’Brien’s Review

“I attended Symposium this year, and was absolutely blown away.”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 28, 2022

Photograph • Dom André Mocquereau (d. 1930)

Dom Mocquereau, prior to becoming a monk, was a soldier in the Franco-Prussian War.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 26, 2022

Our Daily Prayer • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

“My God, my Father, and my All, I am ready and willing to accept from Thy hands this day…”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2022

PDF Download • “Polyphony For Choirs” (262 Pages)

Enjoy this tiny “reward” for your phenomenal response to our fundraiser.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 18, 2022

What. Did. My. Eyes. Just. See.

I am bewildered.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Heretical Hymns
    As a public service, perhaps a theologian ought to begin assembling a heretical hymns collection. A liturgical book—for funerals!—published by the Collegeville Press contains this monstrosity by someone named “Delores Dufner.” I can’t tell what the lyrics are trying to convey—can you? I detest ‘hymns’ with lines such the one she came up with: “Let the thirsty come and drink, Share My wine and bread.” Somehow, the publication was granted an IMPRIMATUR by Most Rev’d Jerome Hanus (bishop of Saint Cloud) on 16 August 1989. It’s a nice tune, but paired with a nasty text!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    💲 5.00 💵
    Our tiny 501(c)3 nonprofit organization exists solely by generous readers who donate $5.00 per month. We have no endowment; we have no major donors; we run no advertisements; we have no savings. A donor wrote to us: “I so appreciate all you do and have done, and your generosity is unprecedented. I am honored to be able to make a monthly contribution.” Another monthly donor says: “Thank you for everything CC Watershed does. We are able to add so much solemnity to Holy Mass due to the resources made available here.” Can you spare a few dollars each month to help us survive?
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
    Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To treat harmony and rhythm in this matter was a difficult matter. Facing numerous problems both large and small—that arose constantly—we understood that a flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— ‘Mons. Jules Van Nuffel, NOH Preface’

Recent Posts

  • Heretical Hymns
  • Alphabetizing Hymn Titles Inside Hymnals • “Does This Make Any Sense?”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
  • Seminary Music Directors Gather in Houston

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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.