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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

Piecemeal Polyphony

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2022

PDF Download • “Missa Philomena” (Philippe Verdelot) — Part 1 has been added.

We already released Part 2; today we release Part 1.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2022

PDF Download • Missa Philomena (Philippe Verdelot)

This music is from a much earlier period; and you can tell.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2021

“Easy Polyphonic Agnus Dei” • Part 3 of 3

The ability of your singers to sight-read music instantly does not guarantee a good performance.

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Jeff Ostrowski · August 13, 2021

“Part 3 of 3” • Guerrero Kyrie for Our Lady

This is—perhaps—the most phenomenally gorgeous piece ever written.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 11, 2021

“Easy Polyphonic Agnus Dei” • Part 1 of 3

A perfect canon is the hardest thing to compose—and this is one!

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Jeff Ostrowski · June 7, 2021

“Part 2 of 3” • Guerrero Kyrie for Our Lady

This *might* be the most beautiful 45 seconds in music—Father Guerrero’s compositions are truly awe-inspiring!

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 23, 2021

“Part 1 of 3” • Guerrero Kyrie for Our Lady

Now that choirs are beginning to come back…

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2021

“Easy Polyphonic Agnus Dei” • Part 2 of 3

What is the best way to get your choir singing when they first return? Here are some tips…

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2016

| Part 1 of 3 | • “Kyrie Eleison” (SATB) within the reach of any choir!

Can Watershed survive? (Part 1)

Jeff Ostrowski · January 19, 2016

| Part 3 of 3 | • “Kyrie Eleison” (SATB) within the reach of any choir!

Only one word describes Guerrero’s musical genius: fearsome.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2016

| Part 2 of 3 | • “Kyrie Eleison” (SATB) within the reach of any choir!

By the mighty Francisco Guerrero!

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Quick Thoughts

23 May 2022 • FEEDBACK

From a reader: “I wasn’t looking for it. But, I stumbled across your hand-dandy arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon. Jeff, this is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I had to play a wedding on Saturday. The bride requested the Canon. There were 11 bridesmaids! The organ loft is a football field away from the communion rail. It’s so difficult to play and keep checking the mirror. Your arrangement is absolutely genius. One can skip and choose which variations to use. The chord names are handy so that when my eyes are off the music, I always know where I am at. A thousand times thank you for sharing this arrangement!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
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

Random Quote

Religious worship supplies all our spiritual need, and suits every mood of mind and variety of circumstance.

— John Henry Cardinal Newman

Recent Posts

  • Review • A Catholic Book of Hymns
  • 23 May 2022 • FEEDBACK
  • PDF Download • “A Canon Choirs Love!”
  • On Mistakes (Part I of II)
  • 19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

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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.