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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

Archives for May 2022

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2022

“Gregorian Chant Not In Danger Pope Tells French”

Actual headline from 9 April 1964.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 18, 2022

PDF Download • “O Salutaris” (Modern Setting)

If there’s a more beautiful setting of this text, I don’t know what it could be.

Fr. David Friel · May 17, 2022

Summer Ward Method Courses • CUA 2022

Study the Ward Method this summer in Washington, DC.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2022

PDF Download • 2022 “Vespers Booklet” (99 Pages)

If you spot typos, please let us know!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2022

“Playing the Pipe Organ” • By Richard Nixon

Does the music of Franz Liszt belong to Adolf Hitler?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 16, 2022

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 […]

Richard J. Clark · May 15, 2022

Prayer of Abandonment,  Saint Charles de Foucauld

This will be sung at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome and at the Basilica of Saint Francis Assisi.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2022

Worst Chanting I’ve Ever Heard

The Supreme Court has been in the news lately.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2022

14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 14, 2022

14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

Daniel Tucker · May 13, 2022

Musician-Saints Throughout the Ages

Short biographical sketches of men and women who were church musicians themselves and who can empathize with the joys and struggles of our profession.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 10, 2022

“Big Reveal” by the Symposium Committee

We are so pleased to welcome this priest!

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 9, 2022

Quote: “A weekend our choir will not soon forget!”

St. Mary’s: “Our singers experienced an incredible weekend working with Mr. Kevin Allen, the world-renowned composer.”

Dr. Charles Weaver · May 7, 2022

A Curious Rhythmic Detail in Tomorrow’s Jubilus

Occasionally the Solesmes rhythmic markings are surprising, as in one of tomorrow’s alleluias. Can we make sense of this?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 7, 2022

“Yes or No?” • Thoughts On Singing The Creed

If his choir sounds terrible, why would you trust his advice?

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
    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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant
    As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —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

Random Quote

“The following few hints on the selection of voices may be useful: (1) Reject all boys who speak roughly, or sing coarsely; (2) Choose bright, intelligent-looking boys, provided they have a good ear; they will much more readily respond to the choirmaster’s efforts than boys who possess a voice and nothing more; therefore, (3) Reject dull, sulky, or scatter-brained boys, since it is hard to say which of the three has the most demoralizing effect on his more willing companions.”

— Sir Richard Runciman Terry (1912)

Recent Posts

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  • “Reader Feedback” • 5 November 2025
  • Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”
  • When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears
  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

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