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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

Gregorian Rhythm Wars

Jeff Ostrowski · December 6, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Second Response to Patrick” (6 Dec 2022)

You look upon these thousands of manuscripts in much the same way that I view the plainsong editions of Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers.

Patrick Williams · November 30, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “History Matters” (30 Nov 2022)

“It is important that these melodies should be performed in the manner that they were originally conceived as works of art.” —St. Pius X

Dr. Charles Weaver · November 26, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “On the Nuance Theory of Plainchant”

A brief historical survey of free rhythm in plainchant, as practiced from the modern monastic foundation of Solesmes (1833) to the present.

Patrick Williams · November 21, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Repercussion and the Mora Vocis” (21 Nov 2022)

Patrick Williams addresses points raised by Matthew Frederes and Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2022

PDF Download • “How Does the Official Rhythm Actually Sound?”

Including three (3) professionally-scanned versions of the Kyriale, released here for the 1st time!

Corpus Christi Watershed · November 16, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Feedback from Dom Stephen Concordia”

“I greatly appreciate your hospitality and willingness to engage in dialogue.” — Dom Concordia, OSB

Dr. Charles Weaver · November 16, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Disputed Questions” (16 Nov 2022)

A few further thoughts on what ways of singing chant are “allowed.”

Patrick Williams · November 16, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Patrick’s Second Response to Jeff” (16 Nov 2022)

“Does it make more sense to judge later manuscripts in light of the oldest sources, or to judge the oldest sources in light of later manuscripts?” —Patrick Williams

Dr. Charles Weaver · November 13, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Charlie’s First Response to Jeff” (13 Nov 2022)

Ostrowski, wishing to avoid fussiness, may justifiably refuse this invitation. But to argue, as he has, that these signs and the prayerful and aesthetic movements they embody are “illicit” is just wildly off the mark.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 13, 2022

PDF Download • “Gregorian Accompaniments” … Just in time for Advent! (366 pages)

The second half of today’s article answers questions submitted by Mr. Matthew Frederes.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 12, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s First Response to Patrick” (12 Nov 2022)

Mr. Williams, today I challenge you (please) to provide direct responses for two questions.

Matthew Frederes · November 10, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Frederes Feedback”

Why declare that rhythmic signs are permitted if alteration of any kind is unacceptable? It doesn’t make any sense…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2022

“Vatican Commission on Gregorian Chant” • Biographies for Its Twenty Members

Including two (2) documents translated into English for the first time!

Patrick Williams · November 4, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Doubled Notes”

“We have a number of quotations from medieval writers in support of proportional rhythm…” —Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams · November 3, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Patrick’s First Response to Jeff” • (3 Nov 2022)

“Mr. Ostrowski apparently wants to lock this door, install a deadbolt, and throw away both keys!” —Patrick Williams

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
    Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simply click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Before any seminarian is accepted for ordination, he must not only strive for chastity but actually achieve it. He must already be living chaste celibacy peacefully and for a prolonged period of time—for if this be lacking, the seminarian and his formators cannot have the requisite confidence that he is called to the celibate life.”

— Archbishop Viganò (16 February 2019)

Recent Posts

  • Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
  • “The Unselected Hymn” • Do You Recognize It?
  • 2026 Sacred Music Pilgrimage (Washington DC) • With Richard J. Clark
  • “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)
  • “Gregorian Chant Isn’t a Platform for Your Personal Theories, Jeff” • (A Letter We Received)

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