Views from the Choir Loft

Advent Hymn Creator Alme

Jeff Ostrowski · October 28, 2026

“Creátor Alme Síderum” • Twenty-Two (22) English Translations by Catholic Priests and Archbishops!

“Great Maker of the glitt’ring stars” … including every English translation ever created by Catholic poets, priests, bishops, cardinals, and saints!

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Jeff Ostrowski · December 10, 2025

Crucial Tips • “Teaching Children How to Sing”

When it comes to the children, I help them memorize each word…

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Jeff Ostrowski · December 20, 2022

Choirmasters • “How To Avoid Getting Fired”

Anyone who’s ever stood in front of a choir knows the choirmaster’s vocation is not an easy one.

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2022

“Advent Hymn” • Composed by Flor Peeters

Peeters was organist at Malines Cathedral from 1923 until his death in 1986.

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 27, 2022

Advent Hymn Experiment

Our volunteer choir tried something I wanted to share…

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Stained Glass Window • Father Brébeuf

Saint John de Brébeuf was one of the North American Martyrs. The photograph of a gorgeous stained glass window depicting Father Brébeuf was sent to us by Courtney Roberson. Father Brébeuf and his companions were canonized by Pope Pius XI on 29 June 1930. We are told this window is found in the Cathedral of Peoria, Illinois.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Sacred Music “Pro Tip”

Our website welcomes millions of visitors, yet surprisingly few find their way to the actual blog page itself. If you are among them, bookmark it today. Numerous articles and resources await you—but these treasures belong to those who explore each article, not merely its title. The headline is only the doorway; the substance lies within.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (29th Sund. Ordinary Time)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC which I created for this coming Sunday, the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The INTROIT for this Sunday explains why this Sunday is called “Apple Sunday.” As we approach the end of the liturgical year, most of the INTROITS seem to be in Mode III or Mode IV, which are ‘haunting’ tones.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Singers’ Booklet” (26 Pages)

This is a ‘messy’ booklet in terms of its formatting, but it’s only ever seen by the singers—not members of the congregation.

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—Jeff Ostrowski

Preface of Saint Joseph (added by the pope)

You can see the “Præfatio de Sancto Joseph” inserted directly into the priest’s missal.

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—Jeff Ostrowski

“Predictable Rhymes?” • A Follow Up

We received considerable correspondence regarding my article, Two Ways to Defile a Hymn. More specifically, what really raised certain people’s hackles was its follow-up article dealing with the keyboard accompaniment for the CHRIST THE KING HYMNAL. But to quote Eliza Doolittle: “Have I said anything I oughtn’t?” Please examine this PDF file and see whether you agree. Were the editors of the BRÉBEUF HYMNAL incorrect to insist upon sophisticated and clever rhymes, rather than mind-numbingly predictable rhymes?

—Jeff Ostrowski