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 · January 25, 2018

FREE • Chant Conducting Seminar

Register now!!! Free online seminar on Gregorian Chant Conducting with Dr. Jennifer Donelson

Andrew Leung · January 11, 2018

Don’ts for Choirmasters (Part 2)

John Newton’s practical, spiritual and entertaining ideas and advice for choirmasters.

Andrew Leung · January 4, 2018

Don’ts for Choirmasters (Part 1)

A recently-discovered manual for choir directors by John Newton.

Andrew Leung · December 21, 2017

The Marvels of Choral Singing

A reflection and meditation on choral singing.

Andrew Leung · December 14, 2017

Video • A Chinese Offertory Hymn

My new choir singing a Chinese offertory hymn…

Andrew Leung · November 23, 2017

Arvo Pärt received the Ratzinger Prize

“A beautiful choice, that of the commission, aimed at pointing out that new way for theology that is music”

Andrew Leung · November 9, 2017

Vox Antiqua’s Debut

My new choir made its debut on the Feast of Christ the King.

Andrew Leung · November 2, 2017

Video • My New Project

Vox Antiqua, the new Catholic professional choir in Hong Kong, in action!

Andrew Leung · October 26, 2017

Singing with Peter Philips

Peter Philips: “Polyphony shouldn’t be sung with absolute straight tone—that is not real singing!”

Andrew Leung · October 5, 2017

A Liturgical Tragedy

I have experienced a similar situation before, and it was not a pleasant experience.

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

6 January 2021 • Anglicans on Plainsong

A book published by Anglicans in 1965 has this to say about Abbat Pothier’s Editio Vaticana, the musical edition reproduced by books such as the LIBER USUALIS (Solesmes Abbey): “No performing edition of the music of the Eucharistic Psalmody can afford to ignore the evidence of the current official edition of the Latin Graduale, which is no mere reproduction of a local or partial tradition, but a CENTO resulting from an extended study and comparison of a host of manuscripts gathered from many places. Thus the musical text of the Graduale possesses a measure of authority which cannot lightly be disregarded.” They are absolutely correct.

—Jeff Ostrowski

2 January 2021 • Temptation

When I see idiotic statements made on the internet, I go nuts. When I see heretics promoted by people who should know better, I get angry. Learning to ignore such items is difficult—very difficult. I try to remember the words of Fr. Valentine Young: “Do what God places in front of you each day.” When I am honest, I don’t believe God wants me to dwell on errors and idiocy; there’s nothing I can do about that. During 2021, I will strive to do a better job following the advice of Fr. Valentine.

—Jeff Ostrowski

31 December 2020 • “COMITES CHRISTI”

The feasts for Saint Stephen Proto-Martyr (26 December), Saint John the Evangelist The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (27 December), and the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December) seem untouched by any liturgical reforms. These are very powerful feasts—I believe they once possessed octaves—and I believe they could sometimes “overpower” a Sunday feast. The rules for octaves in the olden days are extremely complex. These feasts are sometimes referred to as a single entity as: Comites Christi (“Companions of Christ”). This is just a guess, but there seems to be a triple significance: STEPHEN martyred after Christ lived, JOHN was a martyr who knew Christ personally, and the HOLY INNOCENTS were martyred before Christ’s birth.

—Jeff Ostrowski