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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 · July 23, 2023

What Charles Weaver Did (!)

Dr. Weaver kindly made me aware of something stupendous. Created by Abbat Pothier’s assistant and approved by his successor (about ten years after his death), it’s a KYRIALE, GRADUALE, and VESPERALE: 2,000 pages long! It’s in Gregorian notation on five staves and marks each mora vocis. Here’s a photograph of the “Puer Natus” INTROIT taken with my […]

Jeff Ostrowski · July 21, 2023

Why Is Catholic Music So Embarrassing? • Four “Levels” To Fix The Problem!

In 1994, the most powerful mainstream Catholic music organization published a song about the “enlightenment of Buddha.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 20, 2023

More Than A Chart!

I’ve received many compliments about a comparison chart which was part of a recent article I posted. I feel flattered by these kind words, but I would like to point out that my chart doesn’t make much sense unless one reads the entire article.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2023

Fancy, no?

We have updated our donate by check window. Pretty fancy, no? When possible, we try to do things in an “artistic” way.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 19, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Jeff’s Fourth Response to Patrick” (19 July 2023)

Twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to conduct a week-long interview with Dom Cardine’s former boss.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 18, 2023

Rude Priests, Rude Deacons, Rude Ushers, Rude Parishioners, Rude Choristers, Etc.

Unless I’m mistaken, this charming piece can be played on organ manuals alone.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 13, 2023

PDF Download • 3-Voice “Agnus Dei” + Suggestions to Improve Music at Ordinary Form Masses

Should music at the Ordinary Form be identical to music at the Extraordinary Form?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 11, 2023

Desperate Plea from Jeff Ostrowski

The president of Corpus Christi Watershed has made another urgent appeal. It was released on TUESDAY, 11 July 2023. Thank you for your consideration, your generosity, and your love!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 5, 2023

“A Patriotic Hymnal” • (Not Kidding!)

“Hymns for the Use of the Catholic Church in America” was published in Baltimore more than 200 years ago.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 30, 2023

“Six Suggestions” • Working with Volunteer Choirs

One priest on this committee said something I’ll never forget…

Jeff Ostrowski · June 30, 2023

“Counter-Melody” for a Hymn Tune…

Jeff Ostrowski has added a “counter-melody” to CUPERTINO, a hymn tune composed by Kevin Allen. You can download the Organist Score (PDF), which doubles as the vocalist score. You can also hear Jeff’s volunteer choir sing that “counter-melody” version in real life by clicking here.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 29, 2023

“The Use of Plainsong in Heretical Worship” • (Letter by Dom Gregory Murray)

“Unless Catholic musicians (especially priests) are careful, they may easily encourage non-Catholics in the belief that the differences between Catholics and non-Catholics are of minor importance.” —Dom Murray

Jeff Ostrowski · June 27, 2023

PDF Download • Extremely Rare! • “Liber Cantus Gregoriani” (1950) — 1,864 pages!

Church musicians ought not proceed in a frenzied, panic-stricken manner.

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2023

Easter Sequence • “Both English and Latin”

Earlier this afternoon, I created an organ harmonization for the EASTER SUNDAY SEQUENCE: Víctimæ Pascháli Laudes in English and Latin. The rhythm conforms to the pure (“untouched”) Vatican Edition, like what you’d find in editions by Schwann, Monsignor Nekes, Max Springer of Beuron, and Peter Wagner (Commissionis Pontificiæ Gregorianæ Membrum). The beautiful and highly accurate […]

Jeff Ostrowski · June 18, 2023

Theological…

The 330-page booklet for Sacred Music Symposium contains more than just fabulous and inspiring music. Little theological ‘tidbits’ cover its pages. For example, consider Page 265. You can download a PDF copy of the entire booklet at the Symposium website.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simple click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
    The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
    German organ books have an enchanting habit of including introductions for each and every hymn. For example, consider this snazzy example found in a German hymnal published in 1902. In the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal, that melody is called “Laudes Mariae” and was married to Omni Die Dic Mariae, with a popular English translation (“Daily, daily, sing to Mary”) by Father Henry Bittleston, an Oratorian priest. Notice they also added a ‘tailpiece’ or ‘playout’ or postlude at the end—a very German thing to do!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    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

Random Quote

“The Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal will undoubtedly enrich liturgical life at the parish level by making accessible these ancient, noble, and theologically-rich Catholic hymns, translated into English in quite a beautiful way.”

— Rev. Fr. John Berg (Superior General, Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter) 30-NOV-2018

Recent Posts

  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”
  • Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
  • PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
  • ‘German’ Introductions for Hymns
  • Fascinating Interpretation of the “Regina Caeli” (Solemn Tone)

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