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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

Articles

Jeff Ostrowski · July 17, 2014

PDF Download: “Propers” by A. Edmonds Tozer and “Propers” by Father Theodore Labouré

“The law of the Church plainly declares that, whenever High Mass is celebrated, the Proper of the Mass must be sung or at least recited.” — Fr. Labouré (1922)

Andrew R. Motyka · July 16, 2014

Basic Steps To Improve Music At Your Parish — Part 1

Simple steps to start moving from the “average” Catholic music program to a more reverent liturgy.

Aurelio Porfiri · July 16, 2014

Confession 2.0

“You know I will never betray you, lol.” How many Hail Marys would this kind of sin deserve?

Aurelio Porfiri · July 15, 2014

I Am Not A Contemporary

Job searching is tough, you say? Try searching as a Church musician who is not “contemporary.”

Jeff Ostrowski · July 14, 2014

WLP Vice President Mentions The Jogues Missal (Without Realizing It)

“I am desperately trying to understand how what I experienced yesterday is not a separate rite.” — Dr. Jerry Galipeau

Guest Author · July 14, 2014

Homily: 15th Monday in Ordinary Time (St. Kateri)

St. Kateri grew up in very unlikely circumstances of ever becoming a saint. But she did.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 14, 2014

Benjamin Franklin Composed A String Quartet

Why must the music at Wedding receptions be blasted at such a deafening volume? What can be done?

Cynthia Ostrowski · July 14, 2014

Catholic Line Art, Black and White • Installment #30

All the vestments used in the Campion Missal were more than 200 years old.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 14, 2014

The Real Trouble With Missalettes

Did you catch that last quotation? “Unless proper readings are given.” What does that passage mean?

Fr. David Friel · July 13, 2014

The “Children’s Liturgy of the Word”

Are We Past This Yet?

Guest Author · July 13, 2014

Homily: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

“There’s no doubt that Catholics are hearing a lot more of the Bible now than they used to. However, it’s difficult to say what has been the result of this.”

Veronica Brandt · July 12, 2014

Dreaming in Latin

Book review: Forty Dreams Of St. John Bosco: From St. John Bosco’s Biographical Memoirs

Richard J. Clark · July 11, 2014

Introductory Rites: Madness or Preparation?

In some cases, the Introductory Rites are among the most misunderstood and mangled part of the mass.

Richard J. Clark · July 11, 2014

Unified Repertoire | Piano, Guitar, and Organ Accompaniments for the ICEL Chants

If the ICEL chants (or another Gregorian setting) are used at all the masses in a parish, it develops unity. It also helps a parish refrain from being multiple communities under the same roof.

Aurelio Porfiri · July 10, 2014

Why Did Nobody Inform Me That Latin Was Abolished?

“The request freaked the Deacon out, and, through sweat, he answered that the Council had abolished Latin.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Season’s End Repertoire
    Looking at the REPERTOIRE SHEET until the end of the choral season, I see that I’ve fallen behind schedule. (The last three months have been extraordinarily busy.) As you know, I have been providing organ harmonies for all the ENTRANCE CHANTS—as well as rehearsal videos—and you can see I’m behind where I planned to be. Now I must make up lost ground. However, the choir picks up the ENTRANCE CHANT with ease, so I’m sure it will all work out. My ‘unofficial’ harmonizations are being posted each week at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
    From a mediæval Book of Hours, I was sent this glorious depiction of a Roman Catholic funeral procession by Simon Bening (d. 1561). The image resolution is extremely high. I’m not sure I know of a more beautiful illustration of a mediæval church. And I love how the servers are wearing red and pink cassocks!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
    Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Random Quote

“However well equipped and trained a choir may be, all its good points may be obscured by an unsuitable accompaniment. In fact the organist can, in a large measure, either make or mar his choir. It must be owned, however, that the accompanist of Plainsong has to contend with many difficulties. […] The purist will still find his best enjoyment of the chant when it is sung unaccompanied, but to most a becoming accompaniment gives an added charm.”

— Benedictines of Stanbrook (1905)

Recent Posts

  • “Translating the Bible” • Msgr. Ronald Knox (1953)
  • Season’s End Repertoire
  • PDF Download • “Funeral Procession”
  • Re: The “Correct” Way To Sing Gregorian Chant
  • PDF Download • Ascension “Entrance Chant”

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