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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

Dr. Samuel Backman • Article Archive

Dr. Samuel Backman earned degrees at Saint Olaf College, Yale University, and the University of Oklahoma. He currently serves as Director of Sacred Music at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he chairs a multi-faceted music program across three campuses. He resides with his wife in Minneapolis, Minnesota.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Dr. Samuel Backman · October 11, 2025

Dr. Samuel Backman • “Rooted In Tradition: The Allegory of a Tree”

Most readers would not find themselves in the category of people who are looking to try a “clown Mass” or some other dubious experiment!

Dr. Samuel Backman · September 19, 2025

Choral Masses & Parable of the Talents

“We cannot bury this talent; we must cultivate and multiply it.” — Dr. Samuel Backman

Dr. Samuel Backman · June 6, 2025

“Participation” • Recovering its Receptive Dimension

“The goal of our active participation is not that we might shape and mold God, but that he might shape and mold us.” —Dr. Samuel Backman

Dr. Samuel Backman · January 24, 2025

The Lofty Nature of This Goal

The lofty nature of this goal…

Dr. Samuel Backman · November 5, 2024

Bending Your Ear • A Sound Theology

“The way in which music is deployed in the Holy Mass has a direct impact on how we understand our relationship with God.” —Dr. Backman

Dr. Samuel Backman · September 19, 2024

Is Investment in Sacred Music Really Necessary?

“About a year later, when many Covid restrictions had been lifted, we saw quite an influx of new faces come into our parish…” —Dr. Samuel Backman

Dr. Samuel Backman · July 24, 2024

Sacred Music and Suspicions of Elitism

“While a student, I was told to avoid playing Bach in the context of worship, as doing so might give the impression that I was targeting a sort of ‘elite’ class.” —Dr. Samuel Backman

Dr. Samuel Backman · January 10, 2013

Biography • Dr. Samuel Backman

Samuel earned degrees from Saint Olaf College, Yale University, and the University of Oklahoma…

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Which Mass?
    In 1905, when the Vatican Commission on Gregorian Chant began publishing the EDITIO VATICANA—still the Church’s official edition— they assigned different Masses to different types of feasts. However, they were careful to add a note (which began with the words “Qualislibet cantus hujus Ordinarii…”) making clear “chants from one Mass may be used together with those from others.” Sadly, I sometimes worked for TLM priests who weren’t fluent in Latin. As a result, they stubbornly insisted Mass settings were ‘assigned’ to different feasts and seasons (which is false). To understand the great variety, one should examine the 1904 KYRIALE of Dr. Peter Wagner. One should also look through Dom Mocquereau’s Liber Usualis (1904), in which the Masses are all mixed up. For instance, Gloria II in his book ended up being moved to the ‘ad libitum’ appendix in the EDITIO VATICANA.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Like! Like! Like!
    You won’t believe who recently gave us a “like” on the Corpus Christi Watershed FACEBOOK PAGE. Click here (PDF) to see who it was. We were not only sincerely honored, we were utterly flabbergasted. This was truly a resounding endorsement and unmistakable stamp of approval.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”
    Although it isn’t nearly as ancient as other hymns in the plainsong repertoire, Atténde Dómine, et miserére, quía peccávimus tíbi (“Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee”) has become one of the most popular hymns for LENT—perhaps because it was included in the famous Liber Usualis of Solesmes. This musical score (PDF file) has an incredibly accurate version in English, as well as a nice version in Spanish, and also the original Latin. Although I don’t claim to have a great singing voice, this morning I recorded this rehearsal video.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Extreme Unction
    Those who search Google for “CCCC MS 079” will discover high resolution images of a medieval Pontificale (“Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 079”). One of the pages contains this absolutely gorgeous depiction of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

“Place the missal in the hand of the faithful so that they may take part more easily and more fruitfully in the Mass; and that they faithful, united with the priest, may pray together in the very words and sentiments of the Church.”

— Ven. Pope Pius XII

Recent Posts

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  • Which Mass?
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  • PDF Download • “Pange Lingua” in Simple (Contemporary) Polyphony for Three Voices
  • PDF Download • “Gregorian Chant Booklet” mailed by Pope Saint Paul VI to every bishop

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