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 · August 4, 2016

St. Josemaría and the Mass

These pictures can prove St. Josemaría’s love for the Old Mass.

Andrew Leung · July 28, 2016

Free Recordings • British Boys’ Choir

Free recordings of famous British boys’ choirs on YouTube!

Andrew Leung · July 23, 2016

Saints and the “Ad Orientem” Worship

What did the saints say about celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass facing East?

Andrew Leung · July 21, 2016

Summer Sacred Music Workshop • This Weekend!

The Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2016 is finally here!

Andrew Leung · July 18, 2016

“I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice”

How can we renew the liturgy with charity? We shouldn’t seek to win arguments on the liturgy.

Andrew Leung · July 14, 2016

Three False Ideas about “Ad Orientem” Celebration

Three common misconceptions about the Mass and “ad orientem” worship.

Andrew Leung · June 23, 2016

Made in China

Gregorian Chant pew cards in Hong Kong.

Andrew Leung · June 16, 2016

A Guardian of the Sacred Tradition in the South — Part 2

Why is the Basilica community so lively and why are they growing so much?

Andrew Leung · June 10, 2016

St. Agnes in NYC Entrusted to Opus Dei

The Church of St. Agnes in Manhattan will be placed under the care of Opus Dei.

Andrew Leung · June 9, 2016

My Recent Discovery

I recently discovered some amazing Choral Works by Philip Stopford.

Andrew Leung · May 26, 2016

A Guardian of the Sacred Tradition in the South

The Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul is a Guardian of the Sacred Tradition and a great Patron Sacred Music and Arts.

Andrew Leung · May 19, 2016

Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2016

Southeastern Sacred Music presents Summer Sacred Music Workshop 2016.

Andrew Leung · May 12, 2016

Feast of Bl. Álvaro del Portillo

Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, the successor of St. Josemaría Escrivá and Prelate of Opus Dei.

Andrew Leung · May 5, 2016

Video • Mass during WW2

Vintage video of an army chaplain celebrating Mass during World War II.

Andrew Leung · May 2, 2016

Video • Cardinal Burke on the Traditional Latin Mass

Here is what Cardinal Burke has to say about the Latin Mass.

Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published

Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.

—Jeff Ostrowski

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)

With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed