• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
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 · January 7, 2020

JMO Copy (inviolable) St. Jean de Lalande Library of Rare Books

JMO Copy (inviolable) St. Jean de Lalande Library of Rare Books “The judicious searcher in this remarkable online collection will certainly reap great rewards for his effort.” — Fr. Robert A. Skeris, Benjamin T. Rome School of Music (CUA) HE SAINT Jean de Lalande Library is derived primarily from Jeff Ostrowski’s personal collection of rare […]

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2019

Hymn • “A Solis Ortus Cardine” (In English)

The Church’s greatest hymn? Many believe it’s this one.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 30, 2019

PDF Accompaniment • “Jesu Redemptor Omnium”

You can compare my accompaniment to that of Achille P. Bragers.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2019

Video • “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Older Catholic hymnals did funny things with this melody.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2019

“Agincourt” • Do You Know This Hymn?

I insisted that my interpretation was correct. Then she made a comment that haunts me still.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2019

Fr. Peter Gee • My First Chant Teacher

Is it just me, or does England have extremely beautiful churches?

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2019

Fantastic! • “Somber Yet Powerful” Advent Hymn

It’s impossible to incorporate all the awesome Advent hymns; the season is too short.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2019

PDF • “Veni Veni Emmanuel” (2 Voices + Organ)

Download this PDF score—free to all—and sing during Advent!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 1, 2019

(Archive) • St. Edmund Campion Missal & Hymnal (2nd Edition)

Foreword by Fr. Berg   —   Nine Images   —   2nd Edition Info Table of Contents   —   Executive Summary ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENTS (2 vols.)   —   “How do I open this book properly?” (VIDEOS) INE ART: More than 300 traditional line art illustrations were collected from a special Benedictine archive and […]

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2019

Fr. Wasilewski: “Evil” to Remove Pachamama Idols

His argument about “theft”—such as removing pornography from a church where children might see it—is incorrect and dangerous.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 26, 2019

Are Choirmasters Allowed To Have A Bad Day?

By 1941, Horowitz had been playing Rachmaninov’s 3rd Concerto for 23 years…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 14, 2019

Dominican Priest Calls Gregorian Chant “Infantile”

Fr. Gerard Lessard is upset that millennials “seem to be mainly interested in returning to Gregorian chant and organ music of the distant past.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2019

Video • What Are Common Hymn Melodies?

Short demonstrations by a volunteer parish choir!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2019

PDF Download • A Eucharistic Piece My Choir Loves

Including a “preview” of the forthcoming Brébeuf Hymnal SATB Choral Supplement.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 28, 2019

What Choirmasters Do.

In case you’re wondering: the photo on the upper right is me—taken on Saturday night.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 98
  • Page 99
  • Page 100
  • Page 101
  • Page 102
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 184
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
    The Responsorial Psalm may be downloaded as a PDF file (organist & vocalist) for 12 December, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When it comes to the formulary for this Mass, it’s astounding how infrequently it’s included in official books. Prior to Vatican II, one had to search through “supplemental material” printed in the back of hand-missals and graduals. But since 1970, the feast is virtually nonexistent. According to the UNIVERSAL KALENDAR, 12 December is the “Feast of Saint Jane Frances De Chantal, Religious” (Die 12 decembris: S. Ioannæ Franciscæ de Chantal, religiosæ). Why should that feast overpower Our Lady of Guadalupe? In the United States, OLG is celebrated—and I’d assume in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada—but, as I said, the Propria Missae are virtually impossible to locate. I possess only three books which mention this feast.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)
    Many organists are forced to simultaneously serve as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment (PDF) which in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal is hymn #661: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (for ADVENT). I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 2,900 times in a matter of hours—so there appears to be interest.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Immaculate Concep.)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 8 December 2025, the feast of OUR LADY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. In Latin, the title of this feast is: In Conceptione Immaculata Beatae Mariae Virginis. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
    On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Translations Approved for Liturgical Use”
    According to the newsletter for USSCB’s Committee on Divine Worship dated September 1996, there are three (3) translations of the Bible which can be used in the sacred liturgy in the United States. You can read this information with your own eyes. It seems the USCCB and also Rome fully approved the so-called NRSV (“New Revised Standard Version”) on 13 November 1991 and 6 April 1992 but this permission was then withdrawn in 1994.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla Cathedral: Chapter Resolution (13 December 1564)

Recent Posts

  • PDF • Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec.)
  • “Alma Redemptóris Mater” • Everything There Is To Know About This Marian Antiphon
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Advent Hymn)
  • Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
  • (5 Dec. 2025) • Pope Leo XIV Speaks on Liturgical Music

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

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.