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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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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 · March 16, 2020

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniment for “Audi Benigne Conditor” (Vespers Hymn for Lent)

Finding the “perfect” accompaniment for hymns can be challenging. Here is my attempt.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2020

Errors in the “Complete Works” of Father Cristóbal de Morales

Monsignor Higinio Anglés, a Spanish priest and musicologist, was director of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2020

Internet Bullies

Any Christian who tries to make a difference in the sacred music world must expect to face opposition and scorn. Today, the attacks will frequently come from “internet cowards” who hide behind false names, fake biographies, anonymous blogs, and so forth. Falsehoods and calumnies from anonymous sources are impossible to debunk—because recognition is what they […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 11, 2020

A Hymn We’re Singing This Lent—In English!

Have you heard of the “People’s Mass Book,” published by Omer Westendorf in 1964?

Jeff Ostrowski · March 10, 2020

Former Executive Director (USCCB Liturgy Committee) Distorts Holy Week Permitted By Pope Francis

Pope Francis was right to allow the Pre-1955 Holy Week. Father Krisman is incorrect to suggest it will “hurt people.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 7, 2020

Father Cristóbal de Morales • “Missa Mille Regretz”

Some believe Stevenson was the greatest musicologist of all time, but I believe he made an error here.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 6, 2020

Singing in the Papal Choir during the 16th century…

“Juan Sánchez, first admitted in June, 1529, was the most flamboyant member of the generally hot-tempered Spanish section of the choir. In January, 1540, not wishing to sing the part allotted him by the director, he hit him “in the presence of the Sacrament,” thus creating a “very great scandal.” He was imprisoned, but the […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 5, 2020

Excerpt (November, 1545) for Choir Members at the Vatican

There were about 32 singers: “A singer need not be in holy orders but must be a man of honor and of good repute. When a new member is proposed, his character shall first be examined, and then he shall be brought to a musical examination conducted by the choir members themselves. The first requisite […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 3, 2020

PDF Download • Catholic Hymnal by the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio (84 Pages)

An extremely rare hymnal compiled by the Most Rev’d Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2020

Pope Pius X had been a choirmaster!

During his final year of theological studies at the seminary, Pope Pius X served as choirmaster to the seminarians! While serving as bishop of Mantua, he founded a Schola Cantorum and personally taught courses in sacred music and Cantus Gregorianus. Fascinating!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2020

“Stations of the Cross” • By Fulton J. Sheen

The beautiful “Way of the Cross” by Sheen made our local bishop weep as he was leading them.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2020

iPhone Clip • “Sight-Reading Hosanna the First Time”

I found this on my iPhone from 2018…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2020

PDF Download • “Hymnal of Christian Unity” (1964)

There’s something comforting about the Brébeuf hymnal translations, since they were created by Catholic priests.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2020

“Notwithstanding all our troubles, we sing Mass” —1601 AD

Let’s remember this sentence when we are tempted to complain about our (holy) vocation providing music for Mass!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2020

Absolutely Sensational Video About The Sacred Music Symposium!

It’s difficult to imagine a more breathtaking video—the beauty is staggering!

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —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

Jeffrey Tucker: “What are your thoughts on what passes for sacred music in most Catholic parishes today?” Richard Morris: “There’s nothing sacred about it. The tunes, rhythms, and messages are drawn mainly from secular culture. When it isn’t aesthetically repugnant and downright offensive to the Faith, it is utterly forgettable.”

— James Richard Morris (concert organist)

Recent Posts

  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”
  • 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • The Tallis Scholars
  • Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
  • Pope Saint Paul VI to Consilium (14 October 1968)

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