Views from the Choir Loft

Andrew Leung • Article Archive

Andrew Leung graduated from the sacred music program of Franciscan University of Steubenville, majored in vocal performance. He has also studied organ, choral conducting and Gregorian chant with world-class musicians. Prior to returning to Hong Kong, he served as a parish music director in Atlanta, and later as the organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of Macau, China. Andrew is currently the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers and music director at Our Lady of China Church. He is also an artist and vocal coach at the Paul Phoenix Academy.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Andrew Leung · September 28, 2017

Video • All Priests Should Learn Traditional Latin Mass

An interview with Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon.

Andrew Leung · September 21, 2017

The New Way of the “Sistina”

Msgr. Massimo Palombella introducing the new way of singing of the Pope’s choir.

Andrew Leung · September 7, 2017

Report • Hong Kong Summer Choral Workshops

Two choral workshops for church choirs were held in Hong Kong over the summer.

Andrew Leung · August 25, 2017

Report • Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2017

About 65 musicians attended the Summer Sacred Music Workshop III and the next annual workshop is already in planning!

Andrew Leung · August 10, 2017

Learn From Children Choristers

We church musicians are called to be more childlike than other musicians.

Andrew Leung · August 1, 2017

In Defense of the “Sistine Screamers”

There are a few things I would like to point out in defense of their old choral approach.

Andrew Leung · July 20, 2017

Recording • Choral Mattins with John Rutter

Here is some great church music coming from the Anglican Cathedral of Hong Kong

Andrew Leung · July 13, 2017

Singing with John Rutter

Rutter: “When they join together, they become one; and they share an experience which they couldn’t have on their own.”

Andrew Leung · July 6, 2017

The Most Sensitive Musical Instrument

“Have you thanked God for this failure already?”

Andrew Leung · June 29, 2017

Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2017

Southeastern Sacred Music (CMAA) presents: Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2017

Andrew Leung · June 8, 2017

Live Recording from Macau Cathedral

A Live recording of early Renaissance music from the Far East!

Andrew Leung · May 11, 2017

Church Musicians are called to be Good Shepherds

Not only priests, church musicians are also called to be good shepherds after the example of Christ.

Andrew Leung · May 4, 2017

Why the Pipe Organ?

Why is the pipe organ to be held in high esteem?

Andrew Leung · April 27, 2017

2nd Macau International Choir Festival

Register before August 20 to participate in the 2nd Macau International Choir Festival

Andrew Leung · April 6, 2017

It is Finished

What can a musician learn from the last words of our crucified King?

“Entrance Chant” • Christ the King

Download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the Solemnity of Christ the King (24 November 2024). It mimics the Mode III Latin version in a truly spectacular way. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, I attempted to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • (33rd Sund. Ordinary Time)

This coming Sunday—17 November 2024—is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. Some have expressed interest in perusing my “ORDER OF MUSIC.” If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. You’ll notice we’re learning Moreau’s “Congregational Polyphonic Enhancement” for the OUR FATHER. For the record, our opening hymn is particularly beautiful. So is the Mode 6 ENTRANCE CHANT.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Lectionary Errors

If you look at the official Responsorial Psalm (PDF) for this coming Sunday, you’ll notice the current Lectionary has the wrong refrain. Why is this a big deal? Why even mention such a thing? Everybody makes mistakes, right? Here’s why it matters. The USCCB—which makes money by selling the sacred liturgical texts—has historically been ruthless when it comes to such matters. When various publishers point out errors to them, their response has been: “If you dare to correct the error, we’ll sue you.” These errors are not a matter of nuance; e.g. sometimes the previous (English) edition of the Lectionary got them right! Bottom Line: mandatory, indulgenced, liturgical texts shouldn’t be sold; they should be freely available to all Catholics.

—Jeff Ostrowski

The Breviary in the Life of the Laity

Recently I have been enjoying looking through the inaugural (1927) edition of a 20th-century liturgical magazine called Orate Fratres. The July 1927 issue included an excellent article by a Chicago laywoman named Ellen Gates Starr entitled “The Delights of the Breviary: From the Point of View of a Lay Woman.” As we in the 21st century have recently undergone a (blessed!) re-translation of the missal into English, and as we await with joyful hope (please God, before Jesus comes back!) a similar re-translation of the breviary, the opening of her article reminded me of that old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Nearly a hundred years ago, she penned words that could just as easily have been written today: “It is indeed a privilege to be allowed any participation, however slight, in the liturgical movement in the Church – the movement to bring back the classics of devotion, the Missal and the Breviary, into general use by the laity. The wonder is that they should ever have fallen into disuse. Nothing can take the place of these great universal prayers of the Church, the prayers of the Mass and the divine Office. One has only to know them to find them indispensable. And alas, how few of the laity know them!” I know that I have been tremendously nourished by regular praying of the breviary as of late, and my wish is that you and I, dear reader, may continue to nourish our interior lives with the official prayer of the Church, which present to us (in the Mass) and extend (in the Office) the fullness of Christ’s greatest gift to us – the gift of Himself – in the Most Holy Eucharist.

—Daniel Tucker

Principles vs Preferences

I ran into this idea recently: principles vs. preferences in planning out a curriculum or music lineup. In this idea, it is imperative to not misconstrue personal preferences into principles—that the music (or subject matter) is great because: “I have good taste, and I like it.” De gustibus… Education, study and docility to the Magisterium of the Church on matters of liturgical music must be present in those who make the music at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Hours. Who knows? Maybe you might start to prefer the music that is fitting according to the principles Catholic Sacred Music?

—William J. Fritz

Liquescent Notes in the Official Edition

The official edition—the EDITIO VATICANA itself—is somewhat inconsistent when it comes to liquescent notes. If you wish to see a perfect “apples-to-apples” comparison, click here. Such “inconsistency” was not owing to ignorance on the part of Abbat Pothier: the manuscripts themselves are inconsistent when it comes to liquescent notes.

—Jeff Ostrowski