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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 · February 28, 2025

Communion • 8th Sunday Ord. Time

This communion is particularly beautiful.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2025

Re: “Abuse of Catholic Church Musicians”

Listening to yourself singing isn’t fun—but it’s crucial if you wish to improve.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • 8th Sunday (Ord. Time)

This English adaptation uses mode 1, as does the authentic Gregorian Chant version.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2025

Did These Public Statements by Father Gelineau Cross the Threshold From Folly to Sin?

Archbishop Sheen said famously: “Freedom is a word much abused.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2025

A Statement That Still Fills Me With Rage

A choir isn’t some sort of fancy “add-on.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2025

“Ash Wednesday” • Banned after 93,000 Views!

It would be difficult to imagine “sacred music” more disturbing than this.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 23, 2025

“Attendance Policy” • For Volunteer Catholic Choirs

There’s no application fee this year—so you have nothing to lose!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2025

PDF Download • “Music List” for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

“One may well wonder what the origin is of this new way of thinking and this sudden dislike for the past.” —Pope Saint Paul VI

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2025

PDF Download • “Chabanel Tones”

This PDF file contains the various tones—including organ accompaniment—used for the Chabanel Psalter.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2025

“Theology of Worship” • Msgr. Robert Skeris (1998)

Mother Angelica asks Monsignor Skeris why liturgical music must be sacred.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2025

“Reform of the Reform” • Is It Dead or Alive?

In spite of what some claim, the “Reform of the Reform” isn’t dead.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 17, 2025

PDF Download • Common Texts for the Gospel Acclamation (“Alleluia”)

For many years, this situation embarrassed me.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 13, 2025

“Entrance Chant” • 7th Sunday (Ord. Time)

This English adaptation uses mode 5, as does the authentic Gregorian Chant version.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 12, 2025

“Register Today!” • Sacred Music Symposium 2025

A generous benefactor has agreed to cover 50% of the tuition for those who register before a certain date.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2025

“Reader Feedback” • 11 February 2025

A priest serving in Washington D.C. writes to us…

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

“For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders”—is that English idiom? “For the Nazis, and all the Germans, except they say Heil Hitler! meet not in the street, holding their lives valuable”—is that English idiom?

— Monsignor Ronald Knox

Recent Posts

  • 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “My First Year with the Latin Mass” • A Music Director’s Perspective
  • Boston Auxiliary Bishop: “In offering the Traditional Mass for the first time, after removing the vestments, I knelt in the back pew and wept.”
  • Now Available! • “Hymns of Cardinal Newman: Kevin Allen’s Legendary Choral Settings”
  • Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)

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