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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

Sémiologie grégorienne

Jeff Ostrowski · May 5, 2025

“Basic Catechism of Gregorian Chant” • Fifteen Questions Answered

“Kids, you’re only on this floating rock for a very short time.”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 29, 2025

PDF Download • “Gloria III” Organ Accompaniment

This is surely one of music history’s great ironies!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 10, 2024

Must We “Love” All Gregorian Chant?

Where “Parce Dómine” (the famous song for Lent) came from.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2023

My Response to Dr. Weaver’s Latest Article

Is it fair to forever bind Dom Guéranger to what he wrote about “barbarous archaisms” in 1855?

Jeff Ostrowski · November 4, 2023

PDF • Draft Booklet “Couture Chant” (255 Pages)

This is very much a “work in progress”…

Patrick Williams · October 2, 2023

Vollaerts Revisited

“The time is ripe to reconsider the contributions of Fr. Jan Vollaerts to Gregorian musicology.” —Patrick Williams

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Fourth Response to Patrick” (19 July 2023)

Twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to conduct a week-long interview with Dom Cardine’s former boss.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2023

“Solesmes Ictus” • Can It Be Justified? (Examples)

“If you begin by telling a man that in a word like 𝐷𝑒𝑢𝑠 the first syllable corresponds to the weak beat, the second to the strong beat of a modern bar, the only thing accomplished will be to bewilder him thoroughly.” —Father Bewerunge

Jeff Ostrowski · November 1, 2022

“Gregorian Chant Rhythm Wars” • Ostrowski Vs. Williams

My colleague, Patrick Williams has agreed to enter into a “colloquy” with me vis-à-vis Gregorian rhythm.

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Dr. Charles Weaver · August 26, 2022

PDF Download • Mocquereau on Trochee Trouble

This can seem like a dry topic, but it actually often deals with practical issues faced by every choirmaster who wants to promote plainchant.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2022

“New Gregorian Chant Project” • Part 2

Using this coming Sunday (12th Sunday after Pentecost) as an example.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 11, 2022

Gregorian Chant • Its “True” Rhythm

I’m dumbstruck (with joy) to see that my recent video presentation on plainsong rhythm has garnered quite a number of “views” on VIMEO. I also made the full presentation available on YouTube, and—as I write these words—it has collected 700+ views. How cool is it that folks are still interested in the rhythm of Cantus […]

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 6, 2022

“Chant Rhythm Wars” • Dueling Lectures!

Ostrowski Vs. Weaver: Solesmes Rhythm, Gregorian Semiology, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Pothier, Mensuralism, and more!

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2021

“Slanty Wampus” Doesn’t Count

From one of my composition teachers…

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 23, 2021

“Old Solesmes” Method • What’s That?

I recently conducted an experiment…with surprising results.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s now available at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • 3 September
    According to the MISSALE RECENS, the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great occurs on 3 September (the date Gregory became pope). Formerly, his feast was celebrated during Lent, on 12 March (the day Gregory died). In Latin, the feast is: Die 3 Septembris: S. Gregorii Magni, papæ et Ecclesiæ doctoris. you can download the Latin Introit, the Latin Offertory, as well as the Communion with gorgeous fauxbordon in English. Abbat Joseph Pothier—along with Dom André Mocquereau, Bishop Laurent Janssens, Father De Santi, and other Gregorian superstars—sang with a choir of 1,210 voices (from 36 different Roman colleges) under the direction of Monsignor Antonio Rella. That Mass included the “Alma cohors,” a special SEQUENCE for Saint Gregory…much to the dismay of those who believe in strict adherence to rubrics. The Mass on 11 April 1904 was celebrated by Pope Saint Pius X, at the great GREGORIAN CONGRESS held in Rome “to mark the 13th Centenary of the death of Saint Gregory the Great.” Someday, there’s much I’d love to say about this congress. We even have recordings (!) from it (made in 1904 by the Gramophone Company) with choirs conducted by Dom Pothier, Dom Mocquereau, Dom Janssens, Monsignor Rella, Baron Kanzler, and others.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “7 September 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 is called: “Professor Bouyer’s Regret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The training in singing, to sing in a chorus, is not only an exercise of external listening and of the voice; it is also training for interior listening, listening with the heart, an exercise in training for life and for peace.”

— Pope Benedict XVI

Recent Posts

  • “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
  • Weird Liturgical Kalendar …
  • Is ‘Chant’ a Generic Word for ‘Sing’ ? • No!
  • Catholic College (2025) Sings Vespers in SATB
  • PDF Download • 3 September

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