• 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 · January 16, 2017

Nine Rubrics for Mass in the Extraordinary Form

These rubrics are official; so when does your church begin the Introit?

Jeff Ostrowski · January 16, 2017

Courageous Schola Director Posts “Live” Recording

Our choir is 100% volunteers—and many don’t read music.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2017

Ratzinger talks “Ad Orientem” (2003)

Cardinal Ratzinger’s English is *fantastic* (as this video shows).

Jeff Ostrowski · January 10, 2017

Musical Resources • 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

“May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin…”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 9, 2017

“Ten Commandments” • for the Choirmaster

Truth is stranger than fiction.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2017

PDF Download • Epiphany Booklet (FSSP.la)

To match the ancient acrostic, Erasmus changed the first line to “Herodis Hostes.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 5, 2017

Best Mystery Movie Of All Time!

Every so often, we stumble across true excellence. Here’s a prime example.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2017

New Microphone

Please let me know your thoughts in the FB combox…

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2017

Major Problems with “Holy Family” Feast

This feast has been moved *four times* since it was created in 1893…but that’s not my problem.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 3, 2017

Musical Resources • Holy Family (EF)

Communion anthem: “Jesus went down with them, and came to Nazareth and was subject to them.”

Jeff Ostrowski · January 2, 2017

“Table Altar” vs. “High Altar” (Novus Ordo)

It’s incorrect to say new Churches must be constructed with table altars.

Jeff Ostrowski · January 1, 2017

A Majestic Christmas Hymn That Isn’t Difficult

“Here lies He in the manger, alleluia, Who reigns without end, alleluia, alleluia.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 31, 2016

Brave Schola Director Posts “Live” Recording…

A snippet caught by a generous alto at Candle-lit Mass in Hollywood.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 25, 2016

Proof Good People Still Exist

Several singers shown here helped record the Watershed polyphonic rehearsal videos.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2016

Christmas • When Jackie Gleason Broke Character (Updated)

I forgot something important…

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 127
  • Page 128
  • Page 129
  • Page 130
  • Page 131
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 189
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Which Mass?
    In 1905, when the Vatican Commission on Gregorian Chant began publishing the EDITIO VATICANA—still the Church’s official edition— they assigned different Masses to different types of feasts. However, they were careful to add a note (which began with the words “Qualislibet cantus hujus Ordinarii…”) making clear “chants from one Mass may be used together with those from others.” Sadly, I sometimes worked for TLM priests who weren’t fluent in Latin. As a result, they stubbornly insisted Mass settings were ‘assigned’ to different feasts and seasons (which is false). To understand the great variety, one should examine the 1904 KYRIALE of Dr. Peter Wagner. One should also look through Dom Mocquereau’s Liber Usualis (1904), in which the Masses are all mixed up. For instance, Gloria II in his book ended up being moved to the ‘ad libitum’ appendix in the EDITIO VATICANA.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Like! Like! Like!
    You won’t believe who recently gave us a “like” on the Corpus Christi Watershed FACEBOOK PAGE. Click here (PDF) to see who it was. We were not only sincerely honored, we were utterly flabbergasted. This was truly a resounding endorsement and unmistakable stamp of approval.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Atténde Dómine”
    Although it isn’t nearly as ancient as other hymns in the plainsong repertoire, Atténde Dómine, et miserére, quía peccávimus tíbi (“Look down, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee”) has become one of the most popular hymns for LENT—perhaps because it was included in the famous Liber Usualis of Solesmes. This musical score (PDF file) has an incredibly accurate version in English, as well as a nice version in Spanish, and also the original Latin. Although I don’t claim to have a great singing voice, this morning I recorded this rehearsal video.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of Febr. (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”
    I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“A flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (circa 1940)

Recent Posts

  • Which Mass?
  • Like! Like! Like!
  • PDF Download • “Pange Lingua” in Simple (Contemporary) Polyphony for Three Voices
  • PDF Download • “Gregorian Chant Booklet” mailed by Pope Saint Paul VI to every bishop
  • My Response Surprised A Parishioner ‘Upset’ About Latin

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.