Views from the Choir Loft

Conditor Alme Siderum Advent

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2026

Twenty-Two (22) English Translations

Discover all 22 English translations of “Creátor Alme Síderum.”

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 · October 29, 2025

2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”

Over the centuries, this ancient him became associated with the season of Advent.

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Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2023

PDF Download • “Münster Hymnal” (Harmony Edition) — 123 pages!

“As the organ plays, so does the congregation sing!” —From the Foreword

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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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PDF • “Singers’ Booklet” (22 Pages)

The formatting of this booklet is ‘messy’—but it’s only ever seen by the singers (not the congregation).

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—Jeff Ostrowski

Twenty-Two (22) English Translations

We gathered every English translation of “Creátor Alme Síderum” ever made by Catholic poets, priests, bishops, cardinals, and saints (22 in all). Click this link to see them displayed, placed directly alongside the original Latin. Some are strikingly beautiful (e.g. “Great Maker of the glitt’ring stars”) and together they trace the hymn back to the ancient “Cónditor Alme Síderum,” which POPE URBAN VIII reworked in 1632AD.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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

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

‘Ould’ But Not Good

Dom Samuel Gregory Ould (note the spelling) was a Benedictine monk at FORT AUGUSTUS ABBEY in Scotland. As musician, organist, and composer, Dom Ould was highly regarded. Moreover, he was considered an authority on Gregorian Chant. But not everything found in an old book—or, in this case, an “Ould” book—is necessarily praiseworthy. Consider this page from Dom Ould’s hymnal. Do you see the rhymes? They offend severely by ABR (“Abuse By Reuse”) and are utterly predictable. In my recent article—Two Ways to Defile a Hymn—I addressed this topic.

—Jeff Ostrowski