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 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?

Andrew Leung · March 30, 2017

Reconstructed 16th-Century Mass

An interesting project to reconstruct a 16th century Mass as Henry VIII would have heard it.

Andrew Leung · February 14, 2017

Feature Video • London Oratory Schola

A very cool promotion video of the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School

Andrew Leung · February 2, 2017

Invest in your Music Program!

Financial support is necessary for building a successful parish music program.

Andrew Leung · January 12, 2017

The Role of Catholic Church Choir

Keep God as the center of the choir and direct our music towards Him.

Andrew Leung · January 5, 2017

PDF Download • “Missa de Angelis” (Fr. Castro)

Fr. Áureo Castro’s setting alternates the chant melody and the choral parts.

Andrew Leung · November 24, 2016

Free Download • Simple Choral Midnight Mass Introit

A simple setting of “Dominus Dixit ad Me” by Fr. Áureo Castro.

Andrew Leung · November 10, 2016

CMAA Winter Sacred Music 2017

Early Registration is still available for Winter Sacred Music 2017 (Birmingham, AL).

Andrew Leung · October 27, 2016

New Document on Christian Burial and Cremation

The CDF released a Instruction on Christian Burial and Cremation yesterday.

Andrew Leung · October 13, 2016

The New Feature on the Organ of King’s College

Check out this newest feature on the restored organ in the Chapel of King’s College!

Andrew Leung · October 6, 2016

St. Francis and Sacred Music

St. Francis of Assisi is not a “liturgical hippie.” He is a lover of the Roman liturgy and might have sung polyphony…

Andrew Leung · September 15, 2016

The Power of Sacred Music

True Sacred Music brings hope and joy to those suffering.

Andrew Leung · September 8, 2016

Ten Reflections on “Pride of Place”

Giving Gregorian Chant the “pride of place” is more than just singing the Propers.

Andrew Leung · September 1, 2016

The First Catholic Diocese in East Asia

Macau is the first Roman Catholic diocese in East Asia.

Andrew Leung · August 27, 2016

The Reason for Choir — Paul Mealor

Welsh composer, Paul Mealor, talks about the importance of choral music.

Andrew Leung · August 25, 2016

I Am Moving Again!

I will be studying at St. Joseph Seminary in the historical Diocese of Macau, China.

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