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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

Thesaurus musicae sacrae

Jeff Ostrowski · September 9, 2025

“Novus Ordo Parish … With Polyphony?” • Is that possible? How specifically does that work?

Many have asked: “Without getting fired, how can choirmasters introduce polyphony to the Ordinary Form?”

Corpus Christi Watershed · April 7, 2025

Father John Paul Lewis • “Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Oklahoma City”

The musical director is Dr. Alvez Barkoskie IV.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2025

PDF Download • “Music List” for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

“One may well wonder what the origin is of this new way of thinking and this sudden dislike for the past.” —Pope Saint Paul VI

Jeff Ostrowski · January 29, 2025

Can Polyphony Be Added to the Ordinary Form?

Vatican II went out of its way to be explicit—which is good news for conscientious choirmasters.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 4, 2024

Jeff Ostrowski To Leave Los Angeles!

I believe Catholics have a right to attend Mass without being aurally assaulted.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 2, 2024

“Response to Dr. Weaver” • 2 April 2024

Catholic musicians must avoid being viewed as “esoteric freaks” who can’t agree on anything and spend their entire lives fighting about things nobody cares about.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 13, 2024

“Ite, Missa Est” • What Does That Actually Mean?

Bishop Ambo’s assertion that Mass was attended—for centuries—by a single woman (and nobody else) is bizarre.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2024

“Mass in the Vernacular?” • Seven (7) Considerations

Should Mass be in Latin or English? Or should it be a mixture?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 5, 2023

PDF Download • “Lo! He comes with clouds descending” (Advent Hymn) — A Catholic Version!

Some days, Fulton J. Sheen received as many as 30,000 letters.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2023

1963 Photograph • Original Lyrics for Fr. Hellriegel’s “To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King”

Photograph from 1963, the year Monsignor Hellriegel published his 𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑦 𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝐻𝑦𝑚𝑛𝑎𝑙.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2023

PDF Download • “Eight Gregorian Psalm Tones” (Harmonized by Jeff Ostrowski)

Yesterday, I recorded a video demonstration of each Gregorian Chant tone.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 12, 2023

(14 Examples) • Jeff Ostrowski’s Artistic “Credo”

Including several hymns eminently suitable for the feast of Christ the King.

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Jeff Ostrowski · October 4, 2023

PDF Download • “Congregational Booklet” (Printable) for Jeff’s New Mass Setting

A congregational booklet requested by Mr. Seth Bauer.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 30, 2023

Eight (8) Responsorial Psalm Options • On turning Missalettes into little “gods”

They have embraced a certain opinion about matters and will never change—not even on their deathbed.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2023

(Not Kidding) • Does Singing for Mass Fulfill One’s Obligation to Attend Mass?

Jeff Ostrowski provides five (5) responses to an assertion made by a priest.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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) 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
    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
    “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

    “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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In case of urgent danger of life anyone may baptize, even a heretic or pagan. It is sufficient that he administer the essential matter and form and have the implicit intention of doing what Christ instituted. Naturally a Catholic must be preferred, if possible. A man is preferred to a woman; but anyone else to the parents.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (1917)

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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