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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

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · March 5, 2020

Excerpt (November, 1545) for Choir Members at the Vatican

There were about 32 singers: “A singer need not be in holy orders but must be a man of honor and of good repute. When a new member is proposed, his character shall first be examined, and then he shall be brought to a musical examination conducted by the choir members themselves. The first requisite […]

Jeff Ostrowski · March 3, 2020

PDF Download • Catholic Hymnal by the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio (84 Pages)

An extremely rare hymnal compiled by the Most Rev’d Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio.

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 2, 2020

Pope Pius X had been a choirmaster!

During his final year of theological studies at the seminary, Pope Pius X served as choirmaster to the seminarians! While serving as bishop of Mantua, he founded a Schola Cantorum and personally taught courses in sacred music and Cantus Gregorianus. Fascinating!

Jeff Ostrowski · March 1, 2020

“Stations of the Cross” • By Fulton J. Sheen

The beautiful “Way of the Cross” by Sheen made our local bishop weep as he was leading them.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2020

iPhone Clip • “Sight-Reading Hosanna the First Time”

I found this on my iPhone from 2018…

Jeff Ostrowski · February 26, 2020

PDF Download • “Hymnal of Christian Unity” (1964)

There’s something comforting about the Brébeuf hymnal translations, since they were created by Catholic priests.

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 24, 2020

“Notwithstanding all our troubles, we sing Mass” —1601 AD

Let’s remember this sentence when we are tempted to complain about our (holy) vocation providing music for Mass!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2020

Absolutely Sensational Video About The Sacred Music Symposium!

It’s difficult to imagine a more breathtaking video—the beauty is staggering!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2020

Magnificent Photograph! • Fr. Valentine With His Mother

He loved his mother dearly; photo circa 1956.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 12, 2020

Protected: « Sundays after Pentecost »

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2020

Big News! • Symposium Dates Revealed

Woo Hoo! The preëminent conference for Church musicians announces dates for its fifth year!

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2020

Septuagesima Gradual • Strange Formation on Clivis

Is there a “jail” for people who change the official edition of Gregorian Chant?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2020

“I’m hanging on every word.”—Catholic Organist Group

My friend, Richard J. Clark, sent me a screenshot from the “Catholic Organist Group.”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2020

When Choirs Prefer A “Real Voice” To Midi

Only an insane person would post this publicly—but I “fit the bill”…so here goes!

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Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2020

Short But Superb Film • “Westminster Choir Boys”

The resignation of Martin Baker was quite a shock to the Catholic world.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    💲 5.00 💵
    Our tiny 501(c)3 nonprofit organization exists solely by generous readers who donate $5.00 per month. We have no endowment; we have no major donors; we run no advertisements; we have no savings. A donor wrote to us: “I so appreciate all you do and have done, and your generosity is unprecedented. I am honored to be able to make a monthly contribution.” Another monthly donor says: “Thank you for everything CC Watershed does. We are able to add so much solemnity to Holy Mass due to the resources made available here.” Can you spare a few dollars each month to help us survive?
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
    Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)
    I believe 99% of our readers will recognize this hymn tune. Perhaps Father Edgard De Laet should have called it a ‘hymn’ instead of a ‘motet for three voices’—but he’s technically correct, since MOTET is defined as: “a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic and unaccompanied.” The even verses are for three voices, as you will see if you download the PDF score at #20245. The odd verses may be song a cappella SATB or unison with organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of January (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. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“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 one thing that will succeed in accomplishing is to bewilder him thoroughly.”

— Father Heinrich Bewerunge writing to Dame Laurentia

Recent Posts

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  • Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904
  • PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
  • PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)
  • PDF Download • “Hymn for 2 Voices”

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