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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

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 · April 30, 2017

Justice Antonin Scalia on Church Music

“I would go there Sunday morning and sing Palestrina, William Byrd, Mozart…this magnificent choral music.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2017

Brace Yourself • “Raw” Recordings from Solemn Mass

There’s something remarkable about instances where the people involved don’t realize a recording is being made.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 23, 2017

PDF Download • “Compline for Sunday”

My ignorance vis–à–vis the 1962 Breviary will astound you…

Jeff Ostrowski · April 21, 2017

Nine Questions About The Latin Mass You Were Too Embarrassed To Ask

When I first attended the Traditional Mass, I hated it.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 21, 2017

Musical Resources • “Quasimodo Sunday”

“Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 17, 2017

PDF Download • Last Minute Holy Saturday File

“The use of Psalm 150 is a change from the experimental Easter Vigil (1951-1955) in which Psalm 116 was used for Lauds.” —Msgr. McManus

Jeff Ostrowski · April 15, 2017

“Reproaches” for Good Friday (Recording)

The indispensable “Musician’s Guide to Good Friday,” including a 50-page PDF and rehearsal videos!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 13, 2017

Do these Holy Thursday rubrics strike you as odd?

I haven’t studied the situation enough to know with certainty.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 12, 2017

Musical Resources • Holy Thursday (EF)

“O God, from Whom Judas received the punishment of his crime, and the thief the reward of his confession…”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 12, 2017

“Contemporary” Catholic Music • Is it truly dead?

Today we announce a special guest who will be present at the Sacred Music Symposium!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2017

Accompaniment: “Credo III” (Parochial Hymnal)

Easiest organ accompaniment to Credo III ever penned.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2017

PDF Download • Booklet for Congregation

May I share a secret?

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2017

Musical Resources • Palm Sunday (1962) 1

“The multitude goeth forth to meet our Redeemer with flowers and palms, and payeth the homage due to a triumphant conqueror.”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2017

Intensely Powerful • “Requiem” Production (FSSP)

I’ve never seen a more beautiful promo video.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2017

Strong Vibrato • What Do You Think?

In my view, a “tight” vibrato can be quite a beautiful thing.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
    Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
    My colleague, CORRINNE MAY, has posted some delightful compositions for equal voices: that is, choirs consisting of all men or all women. Included there are settings of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.” They strike me as relatively simple and not excessively lengthy. (In other words, within reach of volunteer singers.) Even better, all the scores have been made available as instant PDF downloads, completely free of charge. Bravo!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    “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

Random Quote

It would be contrary to the Constitution to decree or even to hint that sung celebrations, especially of the Mass, should be in Latin.

— Annibale Bugnini attacking “Sacrosanctum Concilium” (§36)

Recent Posts

  • 2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”
  • PDF Download • Christmas Piece (SATB) — “Angels We Have Heard on High” with Text in Latin
  • “Equal Voices” Choir Pieces
  • A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant
  • PDF Downloads • Four (4) Simple Pieces in Harmony for Men’s Choirs

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