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Corpus Christi Watershed

We’re a 501(c)3 public charity established in 2006. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and run no advertisements. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors.

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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 · November 29, 2017

Msgr. Knox • “Ten Commandments” for Crime Stories

Knox was a founding member of the “Detection Club,” which included Agatha Christie and G. K. Chesterton.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2017

PBS • “Gregorian Chant at the Seminary”

At the time I’m posting, this video has 355 views—let’s see if we can raise that number!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2017

40% savings!

Here are some books you might consider…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2017

PDF Download • “Evening Masses and Days of Obligation” (58 pages)

Permission has been given to post this marvelous 2016 dissertation by Fr. Shawn Tunink.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 25, 2017

Final Sunday after Pentecost (4th in November)

“And from the fig-tree learn a parable: when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2017

“Simultaneous Fulfillment” of Mass Obligation?

Christmas falls on a Monday this year—but documentation shows “double dipping” is forbidden.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2017

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua…

“The heavens and the earth proclaim thy glory…”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 20, 2017

PDF Download • Authentic Irish Hymnal (164 pages)

Imagine the amount of time required to typeset something like this!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 17, 2017

Choir Members Photograph

Do you take pictures of your choir? Photographs can serve as nice reminders of wonderful experiences.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2017

“23rd” {repeat} Sunday after Pentecost (3rd in November)

“…and without parables He did not speak to them; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 16, 2017

A Hymn That Just Keeps Popping Up

Bach’s music inhabits “a still and serious world…without color, without light, without motion” from which we cannot break away.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 15, 2017

The Man Who Thrice Rejected Knighthood

Excerpt from a documentary on “St. Thomas More” (Paul Scofield) which in 1966 won six Oscars at the Academy Awards.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 13, 2017

SATB “Alleluia” (Fr. Morales) • for both OF and EF

This piece is perfect for “stealthily” adding polyphony to the Ordinary Form.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2017

Fulton J. Sheen • “Hints On Public Speaking”

We choirmasters are frequently called upon to speak in public.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 9, 2017

23rd Sunday after Pentecost (2nd in November)

“Amen I say to you, whatsoever, you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive, and it shall be done to you.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

After sixty years as teacher, composer, and organist, I may state that the Gregorian Chant should be part of the basic material of any musical education, be it religious or secular. The study of it enormously enlarges the spiritual background of any musician. Whereas students in literature will always be required to study Dante, Petrarch and Chaucer, why neglect Gregorian in music education?

— Flor Peeters

Recent Posts

  • Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
  • Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini
  • 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “My First Year with the Latin Mass” • A Music Director’s Perspective
  • Boston Auxiliary Bishop: “In offering the Traditional Mass for the first time, after removing the vestments, I knelt in the back pew and wept.”

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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.

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