• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

A Guardian of the Sacred Tradition in the South

Andrew Leung · May 26, 2016

CTL A Guardian of the Tradition in the South WILL BE PRESENTING at two conferences this summer and I am really excited to share my gifts with others. I am so thankful that God gives me the ability to praise him with music and I am so blessed to have experienced the Church’s music, the most powerful music in the world.

The first conference sponsored by the Tridentine Mass Community will be held in Hong Kong in July and the second one will be held at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, TN, from July 22 to July 23. Both of these places have a very special place in my heart: Hong Kong is where I grew up and started my musical training. When I first learned Gregorian chant, the schola members of the Tridentine Mass Community were very kind and let me sing with them. It was through those practical experience that I became a more confident and proficient cantor.

The Basilica in Chattanooga is truly a guardian of the Sacred Tradition. They are one of the few that offer traditional liturgies and music. They also have a very active faith formation program. The basilica is where I go relax, pray and sing with friends when I was working in Georgia. They offer a weekly Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form and a monthly Missa Cantata in the afternoon on the fourth Sunday of the month, which is perfect for someone like me who works in a parish all morning. I love the Latin Mass and it really has helped me a lot in my spiritual life. I am so glad that the Basilica offers them because it’s hard to find them in the South. In my experience, their liturgies are celebrated very reverently. Their Masses are always well-attended and people participate actively. There are some instructions given to the visitors and those who are new to the Traditional Latin Mass to help them participate both internally and externally. The congregation is “trained” in making responses and following the different postures during the Mass.

The Sacred Music Program at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul is a vibrant one. I am very excited to go back for the Summer Sacred Music Workshop II that they will be hosting this July. The church itself is a beautiful space and it has the perfect acoustic for choral singing. I am looking forward to play their beautiful pipe organ again and hear the Basilica Choir, and hopefully their children’s choir too.

We have invited Dr. Jennifer Donelson to be our plenary speaker this year. She is an expert in Gregorian chant and I really enjoyed her chant breakouts at the last Colloquium. Also, Mr. Bruce Ludwick from the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, AL, is the newest addition to our faculty. Bruce is the famous organist who accompanied Fauré’s Requiem at the Colloquium 2015 in Pittsburgh and Mother Angelica’s funeral at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. He will be our organ instructor and offering advice to any participant who might be interested in learning more about the “King of the Instruments”.

If you are interested in joining us for the Summer Sacred Music Workshop II, you may register now!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.”

— Vatican II Council

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.