• 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
    • “Let the Choir Have a Voice” (Essay)
  • 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 · May 9, 2018

Los Angeles • Audio Excerpts from Solemn Mass

Posting choral singing captured by a pocket recorder is always risky…

Jeff Ostrowski · May 8, 2018

“Pater Noster” by Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel

A “contemporary” composer who’s inspired me since 1998.

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2018

Saint Vitus Choir Page

You can still come to this page but the technical URL destination is now as follows: https://www.ccwatershed.org/2020/04/08/2022-revised-saint-vitus-choir-page/

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2018

11:00am Choir Page

Our first rehearsal will be on Wednesday night, 27 January 2021, at 7:00pm at Saint Vitus. The first Mass we sing is 31 January 2021, call time 10:30am. The rest of the schedule: *  PDF Download • SCHEDULE for 11:00AM —This shows February and March. Learn “Kyrie IV” from the Père Daniel Website. #88208 • “Non […]

Jeff Ostrowski · May 1, 2018

PDF Download • A “Bright” Eucharistic Hymn

Could there be a nicer hymn than this? It is fresh and glorious.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2018

Yesterday’s Solemn Mass Was An Inflection Point

Consider three (3) clerics who took part in this Solemn Mass at the National Shrine

Jeff Ostrowski · April 24, 2018

Directing A Choir: Are You Tough Enough?

Your sense of humor says it all…

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2018

“ Dissonance? ” • Gregorian Accompaniment

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 2, 2018

I Was Wrong to Dread the “Pre-1955” Holy Week

Five (5) differences between the ancient rites of Holy Week (“Pre-1955”) and the Pius XII version.

Jeff Ostrowski · April 2, 2018

“Crotalus” • How Does It Sound?

Holy Thursday pew version from a pocket recorder.

Jeff Ostrowski · March 27, 2018

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniment for “Vexilla Regis” (Hymn) by Fr. Adrian Fortescue

When I saw this page, my opinion of Fortescue went down—but then I remembered…

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2018

Musical Resources • Holy Thursday (FSSP, 2018)

“…Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross; that whence death came, thence also life might arise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome…” —Preface

Jeff Ostrowski · March 19, 2018

Fighting With A Bishop • Good Idea?

“We are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor.” —Saint John XXIII (22 February 1962)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 8, 2018

4th Sunday of Lent (“Laetare Sunday”)

“Grant us, we beseech Thee, O merciful God, that we may treat with unfeigned veneration and ever receive with heartfelt faith Thy holy rites which we constantly celebrate…”

Jeff Ostrowski · March 6, 2018

PDF Download • Rare German Hymnal (879 pages)

Most German hymnals we’ve come across contain words only—but this one has harmonies!

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 117
  • Page 118
  • Page 119
  • Page 120
  • Page 121
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 193
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Season’s End Repertoire
    Looking at the REPERTOIRE SHEET until the end of the choral season, I see that I’ve fallen behind schedule. (The last three months have been extraordinarily busy.) As you know, I have been providing organ harmonies for all the ENTRANCE CHANTS—as well as rehearsal videos—and you can see I’m behind where I planned to be. Now I must make up lost ground. However, the choir picks up the ENTRANCE CHANT with ease, so I’m sure it will all work out. My ‘unofficial’ harmonizations are being posted each week at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
    From a mediæval Book of Hours, I was sent this glorious depiction of a Roman Catholic funeral procession by Simon Bening (d. 1561). The image resolution is extremely high. I’m not sure I know of a more beautiful illustration of a mediæval church. And I love how the servers are wearing red and pink cassocks!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
    Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The main place should be given, all things being equal, to gregorian chant, as being proper to the roman Liturgy. Other kinds of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.”

— ‘2011 GIRM, §41 (Roman Missal, 3rd Edition)’

Recent Posts

  • Season’s End Repertoire
  • PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
  • Re: The “Correct” Way To Sing Gregorian Chant
  • PDF Download • Ascension “Entrance Chant”
  • Every Artist Needs a Refuge

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2026 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.