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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 · December 26, 2024

Bizarre Statements From “Leaflet Missal” Founder

Imagine blaming the rise of Adolf Hitler on the Church’s immemorial use of a ‘lingua sacra’ during Mass!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 25, 2024

PDF Download • From Cambridge: “Saint John Fisher Responsorial Psalms Collection” (253 Pages)

This 2024 collection incorporates responsorial psalms by many composers, particularly Catholic composers associated with Cambridge University.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 25, 2024

“Music List” • Midnight Mass (Christmas)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” we used at our Christmas Midnight Mass.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 24, 2024

“Silent Night” • Easy Organ Arrangement

Choirs will ‘pick up’ this piece up with minimal rehearsal time.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 23, 2024

PDF Download • “Chart For Each Mode”

If you notice any errors, please let me know!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2024

Year’s End Appeal • “Asking for Help”

As 2024 comes to a close, we could really use even a TINY amount of your generous financial support…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2024

“Source and Summit” • What Is That?

Notice how Dom Franquesa (without explanation) stealthily annihilates sacrifice, sin, and the adoration we owe God.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2024

Rorate Caeli + ICEL + Dynamic Equivalence

There’s an old adage: “Once stung, twice shy.”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2024

“Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent, Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the “music list” I’ve prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2024

“Entrance Chant” • 4th Sunday of Advent

Like so many Advent antiphons, this one is in the first mode and comes from the prophet Isaiah.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2024

Communion (4th Sunday of Advent)

It certainly seems like most of the Advent antiphons come from the book of Isaiah…

Jeff Ostrowski · December 18, 2024

PDF Download • New Version of “What Child Is This” (SATB) … as of 18 December 2024

A different version was requested. I was able to complete that task earlier today.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2024

PDF Download • “Order of Music” (Funerals)

I have made some changes to my “musical list” for funerals.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 17, 2024

PDF Download • “The First Nowell” in Latin — Simplified Version (2024) for Choir & Organ

If you have items you’d like to learn (such as how to make multi-track rehearsal videos) please email them to us.

Jeff Ostrowski · December 15, 2024

‘Live’ Audio Sample (Dec. 2024)

It’s ‘live’—so you can hear babies crying, the sound of the priest incensing the altar, and so forth.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    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
    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

“Always remember: God opposes the proud.” (leaning into the microphone) “…even when they’re right!”

— ‘Scott Hahn, speaking in Plano, TX’

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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