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Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · May 21, 2022

PDF Download • “A Canon Choirs Love!”

You will notice Father Guerrero takes the chant melody (“Beata Mater”) and creates a perfect canon between Soprano and Alto.

Keven Smith · May 21, 2022

On Mistakes (Part I of II)

We choir directors can’t eliminate mistakes entirely. But here’s what we can do to minimize them.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2022

“Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”

Actual headline from 9 April 1964.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2022

PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)

If there’s a more beautiful setting of this text, I don’t know what it could be.

Fr. David Friel · May 17, 2022

Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022

Study the Ward Method this summer in Washington, DC.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2022

PDF Download • 2022 “Vespers Booklet” (99 Pages)

If you spot typos, please let us know!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2022

“Playing the Pipe Organ” • By Richard Nixon

Does the music of Franz Liszt belong to Adolf Hitler?

Richard J. Clark · May 15, 2022

Prayer of Abandonment,  Saint Charles de Foucauld

This will be sung at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome and at the Basilica of Saint Francis Assisi.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2022

Worst Chanting I’ve Ever Heard

The Supreme Court has been in the news lately.

Daniel Tucker · May 13, 2022

Musician-Saints Throughout the Ages

Short biographical sketches of men and women who were church musicians themselves and who can empathize with the joys and struggles of our profession.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2022

“Big Reveal” by the Symposium Committee

We are so pleased to welcome this priest!

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 9, 2022

Quote: “A weekend our choir will not soon forget!”

St. Mary’s: “Our singers experienced an incredible weekend working with Mr. Kevin Allen, the world-renowned composer.”

Charles Weaver · May 7, 2022

A Curious Rhythmic Detail in Tomorrow’s Jubilus

Occasionally the Solesmes rhythmic markings are surprising, as in one of tomorrow’s alleluias. Can we make sense of this?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 7, 2022

“Yes or No?” • Thoughts On Singing The Creed

If his choir sounds terrible, why would you trust his advice?

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 3, 2022

“Repertoire Page” • Sacred Music Symposium 2022

Sign up today! A few voice parts still have openings.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 30, 2022

A “Dirty” Word (For Musicians)

Around the year 1955, “transcription” became a dirty word.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 23, 2022

Choir Directors • “Is It Worth The Struggle?”

The choir director’s vocation is chock-full of difficulties.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 18, 2022

{ Next Year! } • Somber Kyrie Settings For Lent

Corpus Christi Watershed has provided rehearsal videos to assist choir members who do not read music well.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 13, 2022

Kevin Allen’s “Dómine Convértere” Sung At Saint Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City)

The Vatican’s choir sounds beautiful these days—no longer is it “the scandal of Christendom.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 11, 2022

PDF Download • SATB “Refrain” for Good Friday

Is it “traditional” to receive Holy Communion on Good Friday?

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

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.

—Jeff Ostrowski
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 sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Some of our younger parish clergy read their sermons. This should not be done except for some very special reason. The priest who is not capable of preparing and delivering a brief, clear instruction on Catholic teaching to his people is not fit to be in parish work. The people as a rule do not want to listen to a sermon reader.”

— Archbishop of Baltimore (9 July 1929)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “A Canon Choirs Love!”
  • On Mistakes (Part I of II)
  • 19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”
  • “Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”
  • PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.