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.”

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).

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28 May 2022 • “Pristine” Vatican Rhythm

My choirs have been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana rhythm, which is (technically) the official rhythm of the Catholic Church. I haven’t quite decided how I want the scores to look yet, but this one I’ve produced for tomorrow, Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the Ascension”).

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27 May 2022 • FEEDBACK

A reader from Wisconsin: “I will pray for you and CC Watershed. This site has been one of the most valuable resources I have in helping me run a choir for an ICKSP apostolate.” A reader from New York: “May God bless you for your wonderful work! This site has been invaluable to me.” A […]

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25 May 2022 • FEEDBACK

From a reader: “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the time and resources poured into CCWatershed. It’s transformed how I approach music in the parish, and has especially helped me deepen appreciation for the ability of volunteer musicians.”

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23 May 2022 • FEEDBACK

From a reader: “I wasn’t looking for it. But, I stumbled across your hand-dandy arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon. Jeff, this is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I had to play a wedding on Saturday. The bride requested the Canon. There were 11 bridesmaids! The organ loft is a football field away from the communion […]

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19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

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16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that […]

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