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 · June 25, 2015

Sacred Music Colloquium XXV — Pittsburgh

Stay tuned for daily reports on the CMAA Sacred Music Colloquium next week

Andrew Leung · June 18, 2015

“Battles” in the Church (Part 2 of 2)

2 “Liturgical Battles” that should not be fought

Andrew Leung · June 11, 2015

“Battles” in the Church (Part 1 of 2)

3 common “Liturgical Battles” that we see in the Church nowadays

Andrew Leung · June 4, 2015

Papal Master of Ceremonies on receiving Communion

Reflection of Msgr. Guido Marini, Papal Master of Ceremonies, on receiving communion on the tongue and while kneeling.

Andrew Leung · May 28, 2015

Collaboration Between Artists

Catholic artists need to work together more often.

Andrew Leung · May 21, 2015

Is There a Best Way to Receive Communion?

Receiving in the hand or on the tongue? Standing or kneeling?

Andrew Leung · May 14, 2015

Novus Ordo Can Be Done Well!

The Novus Ordo Mass can be done well—St. Josemaria and his successor did it!

Andrew Leung · May 7, 2015

Pastoral Plan (Part 2 of 2)

Point 3 and 4 of the Pastoral Plan of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. And you don’t want to miss this Sacred Music Workshop!

Andrew Leung · April 30, 2015

Pastoral Plan (Part 1 of 2)

The Pastoral Plan of the Archdiocese of Atlanta was released recently. How can we implement the plan to a parish music program?

Andrew Leung · April 21, 2015

“Proper Of The Mass” (Ignatius Press) • Part 5 of 7

Musicians are naturally attracted to beautiful things; and a beautiful chant book encourages singers to make use of the book.

Andrew Leung · April 9, 2015

The Universal Music

A little reflection on the universality of Sacred Music after Holy Week…

Andrew Leung · March 21, 2015

Video • “A House Divided”

“We must not allow ourselves to become judgmental with our brothers and sisters who don’t appreciate what we appreciate.” —Archbishop Sample

Andrew Leung · March 19, 2015

Are your Triduum booklets ready?

Don’t be the Pharisees and scribes. Help people to pray and understand the music!

Andrew Leung · March 12, 2015

Video • “How to Love that boring Latin Mass”

Don’t change the Mass, let the Mass change you.

Andrew Leung · March 5, 2015

Is your Congregation Ready?

One of the ways to help the congregation to enter into prayer during the Sacred Triduum is through catechesis.

New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Giovanni Doni is known for having changed the name of note “Ut,” renaming it “Do.” He convinced his contemporaries to make the change by arguing that 1) “Do” is easier to pronounce than “Ut,” and 2) “Do” is an abbreviation for “Dominus,” the Latin word for the Lord, Who is the tonic and root of the world. There is much academic speculation that Giovanni Doni also wanted to imprint himself into musical canon in perpetuity because “Do” is also ulteriorly an abbreviation for his family name.

— Giovanni Battista Doni died in 1647AD