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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

Articles

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 23, 2024

Reader Question • “Extra Verses” for the Propers

Jeff Ostrowski answers a reader’s question with nine (9) statements.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2024

“Source and Summit” • What Is That?

Notice how Dom Franquesa (without explanation) stealthily annihilates sacrifice, sin, and the adoration we owe God.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2024

Rorate Caeli + ICEL + Dynamic Equivalence

There’s an old adage: “Once stung, twice shy.”

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 18, 2024

Confirmed • Fr. David Friel elected Vice-President: “Society for Catholic Liturgy”

Father Friel holds a Doctorate in Liturgical Studies from the Catholic University of America…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2024

PDF Download • New Version of “What Child Is This” (SATB) … as of 18 December 2024

A different version was requested. I was able to complete that task earlier today.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2024

PDF Download • “The First Nowell” in Latin — Simplified Version (2024) for Choir & Organ

If you have items you’d like to learn (such as how to make multi-track rehearsal videos) please email them to us.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 14, 2024

PDF • “Music List” for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday.

Dr. Charles Weaver · December 13, 2024

Church Keys Old and New

Musical scholars are divided on whether the modes are a useful way to think about music, but I’m convinced they are. In the seventeenth century, musicians created a fruitful and lasting link between the eight modes and eight particular keys called the church keys.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 13, 2024

PDF Download • “What Child Is This?” (SATB arr.)

In my view, this one falls within the “Top Ten” list of Christmas carols.

Dr. Lucas Tappan · December 12, 2024

An Organ-Less Advent

“It results in a heavy burden being placed upon musicians to ensure that whatever they do is well-liked by all—lest the faithful complain (seemingly the great worry of many priests).” —Dr. Lucas Tappan

Jeff Ostrowski · December 11, 2024

Richard J. Clark Featured in ‘Boston Pilot’ Newspaper: “Our Children & Sacred Music”

“My most important vocation is not that of a musician but as a husband and a father to my four children.” —Richard J. Clark

Julie Huebner · December 10, 2024

35 Children Chanting “Sálve Regína” From Memory

“This particular article talked about the Catholic Church in Milwaukee…” —Julie Huebner

Richard J. Clark · December 9, 2024

Announcement of Easter & the Moveable Feasts • El Anuncio de la Pascua y Fiestas Movibles • 2025

Epiphany Proclamation scores and practice videos in English and Spanish

Jeff Ostrowski · December 6, 2024

PDF Download • “Musical Outline” for the Feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception

Rachmaninoff said: “Nine hours? That’s nothing. For a period of my life, I used to practice 17 hours a day.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 4, 2024

“A Peculiar Discrepancy” • Immac. Concep. (8 Dec.)

Who can explain this?

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The Night Office—Nocturns or Matins—except for Holy Week, Easter Octave, and Christmas, has never appeared in the Vatican edition. The larger part of the mediaeval repertory for the Office thus remains still unpublished in the Vatican edition, and is likely to remain so, for the obvious reason that almost no cathedral chapters or monastic choirs sing the Night Office regularly today.”

— John Merle Boe (1968)

Recent Posts

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  • PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
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  • Why A “Fugue” Here?

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