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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 · July 6, 2016

Sensational Hymn for St. Joseph … with Modern Polyphony!

We’ll be singing this piece a lot because our priest has a special devotion to St. Joseph.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 2, 2016

“Confiteor” Before Communion • Should It Be Done?

Six reasons in favor of the “Second Confiteor” and my thoughts.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 29, 2016

“Salve Virgo Singularis” • For Three Voices

I cannot imagine a more powerful text.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 27, 2016

Audio Samples • Can A Volunteer Choir Sing Excellent Music At Mass?

If you think we weren’t nervous to sing before so many … think again!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 27, 2016

Wow! Take 35% off your purchase!

The Goupil Graduals arrived this morning, and they look marvelous!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 24, 2016

Los Angeles Pontifical Mass • This Coming Sunday!

We’ll be joined by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, our FSSP District Superior, and several FSSP seminarians for a Solemn Pontifical Mass in Hollywood.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 23, 2016

“I will fear no evils, for thou art with me.”

St. John Vianney was once overheard speaking directly to the Lord.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 22, 2016

Purchase Hard Copies of the Goupil Gradual

Eight reasons why every choirmaster needs this new resource.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 21, 2016

First Instance of “Alius Cantus Aptus”

“The current rubrics of the missal … specify the moments when the celebrant must turn toward the people.” —Cardinal Sarah, 23 May 2016

Jeff Ostrowski · June 20, 2016

“Vidimus Stellam Ejus In Oriente”

Who could deny the text painting here?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2016

Musical Resources • 5th Sunday after Pentecost

“O God, Who hast prepared good things unseen for them that love Thee…”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 18, 2016

Does the Mass Demand a Certain Level of Dignity?

I started asking myself how anyone could argue against something like this. After all, isn’t it good to share joy?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 15, 2016

Essential Resources • Psalm Tones for Mass Propers

“The singing of the Communion Antiphon alone, which sufficed at sung Mass when Holy Communion was not given, is insufficient under the new conditions…” —Solesmes (1957)

Jeff Ostrowski · June 14, 2016

New Gloria Mixing Plainsong w/ Polyphony

… composed by a Franciscan monk!

Jeff Ostrowski · June 14, 2016

Congregational Singing in the Year 1903

“The Ordinary of the Mass and the hymn at Vespers are the parts of Divine Service in which the congregation is supposed to join.” —Solesmes (1903)

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    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
    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): 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.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —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

When the matter is thus regarded, an assertion which is being made today, not only by laymen but also at times by certain theologians and priests and spread about by them, ought to be rejected as an erroneous opinion: namely, that the offering of one Mass, at which a hundred priests assist with religious devotion, is the same as a hundred Masses celebrated by a hundred priests. That is not true.

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

Recent Posts

  • 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.”
  • Now Available! • “Hymns of Cardinal Newman: Kevin Allen’s Legendary Choral Settings”

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