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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 · September 15, 2017

“O Sanctissima” • SATB Contemporary Setting!

I bet you haven’t heard this arrangement!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 14, 2017

15th Sunday after Pentecost (3rd in September)

…and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet is risen up amongst us and God hath visited His people.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 13, 2017

Does Watershed Make A Difference?

“A huge success! My pastor was blown away at the beauty of the Mass setting by Guerrero. The people in attendance were just floored…”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 7, 2017

14th Sunday after Pentecost (2nd in September)

“Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that this saving Victim may become both the cleansing of our sins, and the propitiation of Thy might.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 31, 2017

13th Sunday after Pentecost (1st in September)

“Having received Thy heavenly sacraments, O Lord, we beseech Thee that we may profit unto the increase of everlasting salvation…”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 30, 2017

Thoughts That Enter A Choirmaster’s Mind

A word about depression and discouragement.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 25, 2017

Very Great Mischiefs Which Arise From The Use Of Polyphony By Religious Orders (1610)

Fourth: musicians who beguile their way into religious orders are for the most part silly, idle, vacillating, vain, effeminate, and even vicious individuals.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 24, 2017

Musical Resources • 12th Sunday after Pentecost

“…and it chanced that a certain priest went down the same way, and seeing him, passed by.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 22, 2017

Volunteer Choirs • Rehearsal “Tricks”

Only two people in the whole school are forced to publicly demonstrate their work: the choirmaster and the coach.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 18, 2017

PDF Download • “O Esca Viatorum”

I am deeply saddened that some people still don’t know where these items are located.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 18, 2017

Musical Resources • 11th Sunday after Pentecost 1

“After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 14, 2017

Ordo Missæ from “People’s Mass Book” (1964)

Two words come to mind: inexplicable and bizarre.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 10, 2017

Musical Resources • 10th Sunday after Pentecost 1

“At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others…”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 8, 2017

Fr. Patrick T. Brannan, SJ • My Tribute

The cardinal was informed by ICEL: “There is no doubt that Father Brannan knows his Latin and Greek; but does he know English?”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 7, 2017

PDF Download • “Hymns Ancient & Modern”

Including a magnificent hymn for two voices (“Rex Sempiterne”) appropriate throughout the entire liturgical year.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for this coming Sunday, which is the 5th Sunday of Lent (22 March 2026). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. Traditionally, this Sunday was called ‘Passion’ Sunday. Starting in 1956, certain church leaders attempted rename both ‘Passion’ Sunday and ‘Palm’ Sunday—but it didn’t work. For example, Monsignor Frederick McManus tried to get people to call PALM SUNDAY “Second Passion Sunday”—but the faithful rejected that. I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)
    Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Holy Thursday, which is 2 April 2026. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more piercingly beautiful INTROIT, and I have come to absolutely love the SATB version of ‘Ubi cáritas’ we are singing (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir). I encourage all the readers to visit the feasts website, where the Propria Missae may be downloaded completely free of charge.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “O Escam Viatorum” • (Holy Thursday)
    When I was very young, I erroneously believed the four psalms provided by the 1957 Liber Usualis—for Communion on Holy Thursday—were the “correct” music to sing on that first day of the TRIDUUM SACRUM. Those four psalms are: Psalm 22 (Dóminus regit me et nihil mihi déerit); Psalm 71 (Deus judícium tuum regi da); Psalm 103 (Bénedic ánima méa); and Psalm 150 (Laudáte Dóminum in sanctis ejus). It turns out I was way out in left field! While nothing forbids singing those psalms, many other options are equally valid. Our volunteer parish choir will sing this COMMUNION PIECE (joined by our burgeoning children’s choir) on Holy Thursday during Holy Communion. Needless to say, this will happen after the proper antiphon from the GRADUALE ROMANUM has been sung.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Stumped by “Episcopalian Hymnal” (1910)
    Some consider Songs of Syon (1910) the greatest Episcopalian hymnal ever printed. As a Roman Catholic, I have no right to weigh in one way or the other. However, this particular page has me stumped. I just know I’ve heard that tune somewhere! If you can help, please email me. I’m talking about the text which begins: “This is the day the Lord hath made; In unbeclouded light array’d.” The book is by George Ratcliffe Woodward, and its complete title is: Songs of Syon: A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Back in 2016, Corpus Christi Watershed scanned and uploaded this insanely rare book. For years our website was the sole place one could download it as a PDF file.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

At the Catholic gathering (Katholikentag) held at Breslau in August, the Papal Nuncio celebrated Mass for 80,000 participants, facing the people (the “Missa versus populum”).

— “Orate Fratres” Magazine (23 Jan. 1927)

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
  • Summer 2026 • “Gregorian Chant Course” at Aquinas College (Nashville, TN)
  • Music List • (5th Sunday of Lent)
  • Music List • (Holy Thursday, 2026)
  • “O Escam Viatorum” • (Holy Thursday)

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