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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12 October 2020 • True Story

Before a Low Mass, the priest ascends the Altar to place the Chalice, check the altar Missal, and do other “preparing” tasks. The organist must be prepared to play here, and—depending upon the priest—this can be of surprising length! For certain priests, I can easily play all six verses of a hymn while he’s doing […]

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3 October 2020 • What Kids Lack

Kids these days will never know the adventure of traveling to a special music library, climbing the steps, locating the correct LP record, and placing it into the record player (which had a needle). In the 1990s, this was the only way one could listen to Hofmann’s live recording of Chopin’s 4th Ballade. I have […]

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“Spoken vs. Sung Propers” • The Complete History

Lies containing a little truth are the most difficult to quash • Here is the definitive, final exposé on why the “Spoken Propers” don’t match the “Sung Propers.” • In October of 1972, the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy falsely equated the “Spoken Propers” with the “Sung Propers” and proclaimed: “These antiphons are too abrupt for communal recitation” • Several official English translations of the Roman Gradual have received the imprimatur multiple times+

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